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HOW COULD G-D DESTROY THE HOLY  TEMPLE? (CONT.) D’var Malchus | Likkutei Sichos Vol. 29, pg. 9-17

A DAILY DOSE OF MOSHIACH  Moshiach & Geula

IN THE MERIT OF THE RIGHTEOUS  WOMEN Feature | Chaya Reinitz

SUMMERTIME ON SHLICHUS  Shlichus | Rabbi Yaakov Shmuelevitz

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[Continued from last week] 6. From the above explanation, a wondrous concept emerges regarding the destruction of the Holy HOW Temple – the First Temple and to an even greater degree, the Second Temple. [We learn from the Midrash that] G-d Himself will construct the Third COULD G-D Holy Temple, as it says: “‘Aryei comes’ refers to the Holy One Blessed Be He, etc. ‘In the astrological sign Aryei’ [referred to in the verse], ‘I will turn their DESTROY mourning into joy.’ ‘And build Ariel.’” But the building is not something that begins in the Future to Come. Rather, construction began immediately after the destruction of THE HOLY the Temple. Moreover, the entire purpose of the destruction of the Temple is that G-d should “repair”57 the Holy Temple,58 so that it should not be as TEMPLE? it was before, a “man-made structure,”59 which has no Likkutei Sichos Vol. 29, pg. 9-17 permanence,60 but a “structure…of Translated by Boruch Merkur the Holy One Blessed Be He,”59 a permanent structure. To that extent, the Holy Temples – the First and Second Temple – were demolished “in order to repair” and build a renovated Holy Temple, the Third Holy Temple, which is the construction of G-d Himself. Thus, the destruction of the Holy Temples is properly classified as “construction,” not destruction and demolition. 7. The above explanation sheds light on the story told in Midrash61 that when an Arab (at the time of the destruction of the Temple) heard a Jew’s “cow bray,”62 he told the Jew that the Holy Temple has presently been destroyed. Immediately thereafter, when “the cow brayed again”62 he told the Jew that “the savior and redeemer of the Jewish people has been born.”62 According to the inner dimension of this matter, it appears that Moshiach was not merely born then, meaning that from the moment following the destruction of the Holy Temple he was merely ready to redeem the Jewish people,63 that simultaneous with the destruction came the preparation, the beginning of and the potential for the Redemption. (As the necessity for the latter point is readily understood, as follows. Since when the Jewish people repent, “they are immediately redeemed”64 – and although I am sleeping in exile, my heart is awake for the

 +BK>@EBJ S #'1 +-1&' !& Holy One Blessed Be He65 – immediately following the 58 For, notwithstanding the fact that the verse, “A lion has destruction of the Holy Temple, Moshiach must be arisen from its thicket,” refers to the First Temple, which was prepared [for his mission], in order that there can be the destroyed be Nevuchadnetzar, it is said of the Second Temple Redemption “immediately” when they repent.66) (although it was lacking in five respects [in comparison to the First Temple] ––Yoma 21b), “The glory of this later Temple Rather, a greater statement is being made here. will be greater than the former” (Chagi 2:9; Bava Basra 3a, Namely, that there is no delay between the destruction of end ff.), etc. – see Footnote 55 in the original. the Temple and the redemption and the [re]building of 59 the Holy Temple; there is not a moment’s pause between Zohar III 221a and see Zohar I 28a. these two events. The very moment following the 60 To note that also the manner whereby it is “greater” than destruction of the Temple was the beginning of the the Second Temple is with respect to its “structure” as well as Redemption – “their savior was born” – in the physical its “years” (Bava Basra ibid), meaning that it has greater world below, in the Land of Israel itself. longevity. See Likkutei Sichos Vol. 9 (pg. 27-8 and the notes Although ostensibly the Jewish people are highly there; pg. 62; 67-8), where the point is raised that this is a conscious of the perceived reality of destruction, for superiority in both quality and spirituality.

61 Eicha Rabba 1:51. The very moment following the 62 Wording of the Matnas K’huna ibid. 63 Although it says, “the redeemer of destruction of the Temple was the the Jewish people was born”(and how can it be possible that he [as an infant] beginning of the Redemption – “their will be ready right away to redeem the Jewish people?), we find precedence for savior was born” – in the physical world this [kind of miracle] before the Flood – that “on the day he was born he helped below, in the Land of Israel itself. his mother” (B’Reishis Rabba 36:1, VaYikra Rabba 5:1), etc. – see Footnote 62 in the original. which reason there are laws [of mourning] regarding 64 Rambam Laws of Repentance 7:5. Tisha B’Av and etc., the very point of these laws (fasting 65 and the conduct on the day of Tisha B’Av in particular) Zohar III 95a. See Shir HaShirim on the verse, “I am is to inspire repentance – as it is phrased in Rambam in asleep, etc.” (Shir HaShirim 2:5). the beginning of the Laws of Fasting, “This matter is 66 See the address of Chag HaShavuos 5744, where it among the ways of repentance”67 – in order that the explains that, during the destruction, when the Jewish people Redemption and the building of the Temple should come saw the destruction of the Temple, etc., it was a very about in actuality68 through the repentance and the appropriate and auspicious time for repentance. Divine service of the Jewish people. 67 Ibid Ch. 5, beg., applies this principle to the four fasts, [To be continued be”H] including Tisha B’Av: “The Jewish people fast, etc., in order NOTES: to arouse their hearts and to initiate the ways of repentance.” 68 57 See Footnote 54 in the original for a discussion of whether [To the extent that the perceived reality will no longer be of the new structure must be better than the one demolished. destruction and exile but of the true and complete Redemption in all respects.]

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12 MENACHEM AV: THE SH’CHINA IN THE HOME OF THE LEADER OF THE GENERATION AS IN THE BEIS A DAILY HA’MIKDASH [B] “Beis Rabbeinu Sh’B’Bavel,” being the established place (home) of the leader of the generation, “the nasi is everything,” including the entire DOSE OF generation, has the indwelling (and revelation) of the overall Sh’china (and not just a portion that dwells (and reveals itself) upon ten Jews), an example resembling the indwelling MOSHIACH and revelation of the Sh’china in the Beis HaMikdash. Furthermore, the indwelling and revelation of the Sh’china is drawn forth from there into all the shuls and & GEULA: battei midrash “in the lands where they have come,” just as the light of the Beis HaMikdash comes forth from there into the whole world. 12-18 AV (Kuntres Beis Rabbeinu Sh’B’Bavel) Selected daily pearls of wisdom from the 13 MENACHEM AV: BEIS RABBEINU SH’B’BAVEL – THE HOME OF THE Rebbe MH”M on Moshiach and Geula. LEADER OF THE GENERATION IN AMERICA [C] Collected and arranged by Rabbi Pinchas Maman In our generation, the majority of Translated by Michoel Leib Dobry the Jewish People are in the exile of America, and there are those who say that this is among the reasons why even the leader of the generation (as “the nasi is everything”) lived for ten years in the exile of America, and from there he was involved in the spreading of Torah and Yiddishkait and the spreading of the wellsprings outward in all the other lands where Jews have come, through his students and shluchim throughout the world. And since “wherever Jews have been exiled, the Sh’china is with them,” in this final exile, where the majority of the Jewish People are together with the leader of the generation in the exile of America, the Sh’china has also been exiled to the galus of America, and in the exile of America itself “here (in Bavel)” – in “the small sanctuary” of “Beis Rabbeinu,” “where the Mikdash journeyed and dwelt there.” (Kuntres Beis Rabbeinu Sh’B’Bavel)

14 MENACHEM AV: THE FUTURE BEIS HA’MIKDASH WILL FIRST BE REVEALED IN “BEIS RABBEINU SH’B’BAVEL” The Future Beis HaMikdash (“which will be revealed and come from Heaven elaborately built”) will be revealed first in the place “where the Mikdash journeyed and dwelt

 +BK>@EBJ S #'1 +-1&' !& there” in the time of the exile (“Beis Rabbeinu which will be renewed in the future as [the moon] is, Sh’B’Bavel”), and from there it will be moved to its place fulfillment in its most complete sense, with the True and in Yerushalayim… Complete Redemption. Perhaps it can be said that the matter is alluded to in (letter, Menachem Av 5721) the language of the Rambam, “And (Moshiach) will build the Mikdash in its/his place,” i.e., referring to the place of 16 MENACHEM AV: PREPARING FOR THE REDEMPTION – Melech HaMoshiach (“his place”) in the time of the exile STRENGTHENING OF FAITH AND LONGING (prior to “he is definitely the Moshiach”). We should increase daily in matters that actually bring In other words, when he is in exile (where he sits and the Redemption and in a revealed state, including: waits and longs to redeem the Jewish People and the Strengthening the faith, the longing, and the Sh’china with them from the exile), Melech HaMoshiach anticipation for the coming of Moshiach, to the point that builds the (small) Mikdash, which resembles the Beis a person feels constantly that when Moshiach Tzidkeinu HaMikdash in Yerushalayim, as a preparation for the has not actually come and in a revealed state, his days are Future Beis HaMikdash, which will be revealed there first, lacking… and from there it shall return (with G-d and the Jewish People) to Yerushalayim. (Rosh Chodesh Teives 5752) (Kuntres Beis Rabbeinu Sh’B’Bavel) 17 MENACHEM AV: THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD IN THE FUTURE TO COME – WHERE WILL IT BE? We should increase daily in matters T’chiyas HaMeisim (The that actually bring the Redemption, Resurrection of the Dead) will take place in Eretz Yisroel, both those who including strengthening the faith, the are buried there and those who buried outside of it. longing, and the anticipation for the The reason: Eretz Yisroel will exist forever. Likewise the soul, after coming of Moshiach, to the point that a the Resurrection, will exist forever within a body. person feels constantly that when Therefore, the soul does not enter Moshiach Tzidkeinu has not actually the body except in a place that exists forever. come and in a revealed state, his days (Igros Kodesh, Vol. 2, p. 65) are lacking. 18 MENACHEM AV: THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD IN THE FUTURE TO COME 15 MENACHEM AV: THE FULLNESS OF 15 B’AV – WHO RISES FIRST? Regarding the 15th of Av, our Sages, of blessed Will all Jews rise at once? memory, have said (end of Tractate Taanis) that Israel The dead of Eretz Yisroel will be brought to life first, had no holidays like the 15th of Av, etc. afterwards the dead in Chutz LaAretz, then the dead in (On the one hand) the 15th of Av is the day they the wilderness, and there are those who say – the ceased to die in the wilderness, when the strength of the Forefathers. sun weakened, the day that they stopped cutting wood for According to another opinion, the order will be: the burning the sacrifices as the wood begins to become dead of Eretz Yisroel, the dead of Chutz LaAretz, those at worm-eaten, the day they allowed the slain of Beitar to be rest in Chevron. The reason: They will arise and awaken buried – matters pertaining to the destruction [of the Beis with joy, as they see among them those who got up from HaMikdash], (while on the other hand) it is the day that their graves, and the land will be filled with tzaddikim and the tribes were permitted, etc., all the tribes of Israel could chassidim. come on pilgrimage – matters pertaining to [its] building. Another opinion: Tzaddikim will precede all other And as the Gemara concludes, “From here onward, people, those involved in Torah will precede those those who learn Torah during the nights in addition to the involved in mitzvos, and then they will rise and call [the days will increase in life,” and from the 15th of Av – the rest] alphabetically, but those with the attribute of day of the moon’s fullness, we will soon come to the humility will stand up first. fulfillment of all matters pertaining to the Jewish People, (T’shuvos U’Biurim 13)

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  CB>QROB IN THE MERIT OF THE RIGHTEOUS WOMEN

By Chaya Reinitz

Mrs. Cohen. The Rebbe had been Along with numerous other women, Mrs. speaking very strongly about Chavi Cohen stood in line for dollars on Moshiach: his identity, the need to prepare to greet him, and “do all Sunday. When it was her turn, she you can.” Lubavitch women in Crown presented a tambourine to the Rebbe, a Heights convened to come up with a plan of what to do to hasten the tambourine which was made because hisgalus of Moshiach. At a certain point, they began signing people the Rebbe asked Jewish women to up on “Kabbalas HaMalchus” prepare tambourines for the coming of forms. Thousands of signatures were gathered and on Hoshana Moshiach. On the tambourine it said, Rabba 5752, a delegation of women went to the Rebbe and “Yechi Adoneinu Moreinu V’Rabbeinu their representative said: “We are a minyan of women, a stiff-necked HaMelech HaMoshiach L’olam Va’ed.” nation, who ask the Rebbe to be revealed to all as Melech The cameras clicked and pictures of the HaMoshiach and take us out of encounter were seen around the world. Galus immediately.” None of them could anticipate * Mrs. Cohen tells the story behind the what the Rebbe’s answer would be. After a second, which seemed like tambourine, as well as her thoughts and forever, the Rebbe said, “Amen, much success, good news.” Then feelings about her encounter with the the Rebbe immediately added, “For the letter, for the pidyon nefesh, Rebbe MH”M. and for the names, an extra dollar will be given.” “Women often ask me, ‘Where that she gave to the Rebbe a few Some time later, there was a do I know you from?’ because I days before 27 Adar I 5752. gathering of the women of Crown remind them of the picture.” * * * Heights for Kabbalas HaMalchus Mrs. Chavi Cohen of New York It was a very special time, says of the Rebbe as Melech told us all about the tambourine HaMoshiach. This was the first

 +BK>@EBJ S #'1 +-1&' !& gathering of its kind (and level of the box and asked, “Is this for me? saying, “We are from Chabad, can daring) and it took place with the May there be good news.” The we speak to you for a few Rebbe’s blessing. Regarding the Rebbe looked at the box and the minutes?” report given to the Rebbe signatures and added: “For all the When we sat down, we told afterwards, the Rebbe said, “I will inyanim one must pay with them about the Rebbe’s mention it at the Tziyun again, for tz’daka. It should be with great announcement that “the time of continued great and wondrous success, and go from strength to your redemption has arrived,” and success ba’kol mi’kol kol, etc.” strength until you go to Elokim in that he had indicated that he is On Sunday 3 Kislev 5752, once Tziyon with the true and complete Moshiach. We usually showed again a group of women stood Redemption, blessing and success, them some quotes from the Rebbe. before the Rebbe, this time much success.” We told them how important it is presenting a box with thousands of On Motzaei Shabbos 28 Teives to sign and accept the Rebbe’s signatures. The representative of 5752, N’shei Chabad held a malchus just as the nation the group said, “Baruch Hashem “Seudas Kabbalas Panim accepted the kingship of Dovid there is wondrous work ba’kol L’Moshiach Tzidkeinu” and they seven years after he was anointed, mi’kol kol in the campaign of ‘they received “a special blessing in a and this helped bring about his sought Hashem and Dovid His special time,” as the Rebbe put it. rule as king. servant.’ The campaign of N’shei These favorable reactions from Not everybody agreed but most Chabad is spreading around the the Rebbe motivated the women to signed and thanked us for the entire world and with all the carry on their work in getting z’chus we gave them to be part of shluchos. We N’shei U’Bnos people to accept the it. Chabad welcome Moshiach malchus/kingship of the Rebbe. After the Rebbe’s sicha on Tzidkeinu, the Rebbe shlita, who How did you do the Kabbalas Shabbasos Parshas Bo and will lead us upright to our holy HaMalchus work? B’Shalach 5752, “about the special land immediately.” Every Friday we went to quality of Jewish women and girls The Rebbe listened and said, different areas or we made house in this generation,” our work got a “Amen.” The Rebbe then looked at calls. We introduced ourselves by major boost. In these sichos the Rebbe emphasized the special ability women have to bring the Geula and how the women of our generation are the reincarnation of the souls of the women who left Egypt, in whose merit they were redeemed. The Rebbe said, “A special and essential directive regarding song, as is emphasized in the song of Miriam and the song of Devora: Just as in the exodus from Egypt ‘the righteous women of the generation were confident that Hashem would do miracles for them and they took tambourines out of Egypt.’ So too with the geula from this final galus, the righteous women need to be confident – and they are surely confident – that the true and complete Redemption is coming immediately. This should be to the extent that they begin immediately (in the final moments of galus) with song and tambourines and

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  dancing, because of the true and it. Whoever saw it that night was long line that stretched outside complete Redemption!” enthused and it was passed from 770. In the meantime, a group of We didn’t need more than that. woman to woman and from circle women gathered around me. I So you began to dance? to circle and added a lot to the knew that I wasn’t just giving the Yes! We organized an evening atmosphere, to the anticipation, tambourine but that I had to say of dancing to greet Moshiach, and to the simcha. The dancing something and describe the which took place in Oholei Torah ended at two in the morning! evening of dancing of the night on Motzaei Shabbos, the night of Where did the idea of before. I was afraid to go alone … 12 Adar I 5752. We first asked for presenting this tambourine to the Throughout the time that I the Rebbe’s blessing and consent Rebbe come from? waited in line, I repeated what I and the Rebbe gave his bracha and In the middle of the dancing, would say to the Rebbe out loud added that it should be done in a Ms. Ariella Benayoun said to me, since I was afraid that when the modest fashion. The band was “Chavi, maybe you’d want to give moment came, I wouldn’t be able comprised of female musicians. this tambourine to the Rebbe?” I to say it properly. The evening was for all women immediately agreed. I was finally near the Rebbe and and everybody came, The next day, Sunday 12 Adar, the photographer began taking grandmothers and great- Ariella called me and asked, “Do pictures (it’s not every day that grandmothers, babies and girls, you want to go by the Rebbe and tambourines like this are given to teenagers and mothers. The give him the tambourine?” the Rebbe). I said to the Rebbe in evening began with a D’var “Why me?” I asked. Yiddish, “This is for the Rebbe Malchus on the topic of Geula. “The tambourine belongs to shlita. We women danced with this Then the dancing began. you!” she replied. last night with simcha that burst all Everybody danced, even the oldest I agreed and I stood on the bounds, with confidence in the women danced a little and then sat down and clapped. The simcha was palpable. We danced for hours THE REBBE SHOULD BE HEALTHY AND STRONG with the strong feeling that it’s FOR ETERNAL LIFE going to happen now. The Rebbe Mrs. Shterna Spritzer relates: would come and we would go After 28 Nissan 5751, there was a great hisorerus in the topic of forth to Geula. Moshiach. In response to the Rebbe’s call for action we established the The organizers, Mrs. Shterna Moshiach Committee that initiated and organized various events. Spritzer, Mrs. Cherna Light, Mrs. On Rosh Chodesh Kislev 5752, in response to the Rebbe’s saying Mindy Halberstam, and Mrs. that it is everybody’s obligation to participate in the building of 770, Shifra Chana Hendrie, smiled at “Beis Moshiach,” physically and financially, we presented a pushka to one another. They saw the Rebbe’s the Rebbe with money for the building and expansion of 770. brachos before their eyes in the Until that time we were not in agreement regarding the wording, form of this hugely successful whether to write “Melech HaMoshiach” or not. We made the decision evening. to say it just a few minutes before we went to the Rebbe. My tambourine was in use I had the privilege of being one of the representatives who presented during the dancing. I had gotten it the pushka to the Rebbe. It was a very moving and special event. None as a present and I had asked my of us knew how the Rebbe would react to the title “Melech son to write the words, “Shiru HaMoshiach.” I said, “This pushka with the first of the money that the L’Hashem Ki Gao Gaa” and “Shiru women have donated for the miniature Mikdash, 770-Beis Moshiach, is L’Hashem Shir Chadash.” In the a gift from all Chabad women and girls to the Rebbe shlita, in honor of center of the tambourine it said, Rosh Chodesh Kislev, and all the events of the month of Geula, the “Yechi Adoneinu Moreinu month of Kislev. We ask of Hashem that the Rebbe shlita be healthy V’Rabbeinu HaMelech and strong, for eternal life, and that the Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach HaMoshiach L’olam Va’ed.” lead us to Eretz Yisroel, and that we have eyes to see and ears to hear Was that the only tambourine and a heart to know and to see this immediately.” that night? All the women present answered amen and the Rebbe gave a dollar There were other ladies who and then another dollar, and another dollar for tz’daka to hasten the had tambourines, but I was the Geula. The Rebbe was satisfied and had nachas ruach. only one who had that written on

 +BK>@EBJ S #'1 +-1&' !& hisgalus of the Rebbe shlita Melech HaMoshiach immediately for the Everybody danced, even the oldest complete Geula.” women danced a little and then sat The Rebbe smiled broadly and you could see he was pleased. My down and clapped. The simcha was fear melted away and the Rebbe’s smile made me feel relaxed. The palpable. We danced for hours with the Rebbe asked, “You are probably leaving this with me.” I responded strong feeling that it’s going to happen with a smile and the Rebbe gave me one dollar and then gave me now. The Rebbe would come and we another one and said, “This is for would go forth to Geula. the ‘sounds of joy,’ which is what it is called in T’hillim. It should be in a good time. And this is for the What did you do with the place in England and I gave it out entire group.” dollars and pictures of that along with a booklet about Geula Did you always refer to the encounter? that was published by Ruti Cohen Rebbe as Moshiach? I enlarged one picture and and Sara Kanevsky. The video and That was the first time that I framed it along with the two booklet made waves in England. verbally addressed the Rebbe in dollars. I also have a picture that I When I returned to the US about a that way. Previously, I would write always keep in my pocketbook. week after Sheva Brachos, I got a “Melech HaMoshiach” in letters to When I go on mivtzaim I show the call and was told that Manchester him. picture as proof that the Rebbe was still in an uproar over it… approves and acknowledges his Among the wedding pictures we malchus. saw that one of the guests from EVERY WORD When I attend special private B’nei Brak, an extreme Litvak, was PRECISE gatherings (Jewish Women United reading the booklet. Mrs. Chavi Cohen relates: for the Redemption), I convey the After the wedding, I gave out As I said, we worked on message clearly, that the Rebbe is the leftover videos on mivtzaim preparing a video depicting the Nasi HaDor, Melech and then I made a large number of when the Rebbe accepted the HaMoshiach chai v’kayam, copies and called it “The time for tambourine, along with other neshama in a guf, and he your redemption has arrived.” We excerpts on inyanei Moshiach prophesied the prophecy of Geula added a voiceover translation of and Geula. We added a and asked us to publicize it and the sichos on the video and gave voiceover with a translation. prepare for it. out thousands of them. My friend and I worked At these gatherings I show my What is the secret of the on the translation for hours. picture and the video of the success of the picture and the Afterwards, my friend went encounter along with quotes from video? to rest and she dreamed that the Rebbe on the topic of When people see the picture or she was passing by the Rebbe Moshiach and Geula. Whenever I the video, they can’t dismiss the at dollars and the Rebbe said show this video, I save myself half whole thing. My brother, Rabbi to her, “Be careful with every the work. 99% of people accept Gliss of B’nei Brak, told me that word,” She woke up in a the message. when he showed the picture to turmoil and we continued What kind of women do you various people, it encouraged working on the translation, speak to? them. knowing that this was a great All types: Satmar Chassidos, When R’ Itche Gansburg a”h responsibility. We weighed Litvishe women, and women who found out about the picture, he every word. If there was a aren’t yet religious. They accept called me and said he wanted to word we were unsure of, we what I have to say. It’s not distribute it by the thousands, asked Rabbi Kaminker and surprising, for after all, the Rebbe around the world. He did so, and Rabbi Shapiro who helped said the world is ready. later on he added the Rebbe’s us. I produced the video as a gift words in Yiddish and a translation for my son’s wedding that took into English.

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  I heard from many people that this picture opened many doors to I show my picture and the video of the people who until then, hadn’t quite encounter along with quotes from the believed. There’s no question that the picture did away with many Rebbe on the topic of Moshiach and doubts. You just can’t dismiss such a clear approval by the Rebbe, with Geula. Whenever I show this video, I such a smile… Were there people who were save myself half the work. 99% of people annoyed by the publicity the picture got? accept the message. Definitely. The Friday that Beis Moshiach had it on the cover, I told him that I planned on being in interest in speaking… No doubt was walking down the street when Eretz Yisroel in a few weeks and if this is what the Rebbe meant when someone stopped me and asked, he wanted to, he could reach me at he said that the main test of our “Are you the lady who gave the a certain phone number. generation is “don’t be tambourine to the Rebbe?” I said When I arrived at my host’s embarrassed by the mockers.” that I was, and he told me that home, I had barely put down my That’s in the first paragraph of someone was going around saying things and taken off my coat when Shulchan Aruch and it is also our that the picture was forged. the man called. I sent him the biggest test. “Maybe you should confront him picture and he apologized and What is your message for with the facts.” asked forgiveness for his letter. He Chassidishe women and girls? I called the man and told him said he was happy to see that it Action. On my birthday I gave that I was the one who gave the was genuine. out a present – a tape with songs tambourine to the Rebbe. He asked How do you convey the of Geula. I gave it out on mivtzaim me, “Then why, when I visited the message about the Rebbe MH”M too. I prepared a page with various Rebbe’s library, and I saw several without difficulty? excerpts from the Rebbe’s sichos tambourines, didn’t I see that one Who said it’s without in Hebrew and English about there?” I answered, “Maybe difficulty? I always have to Moshiach and Geula. someone wants to be sure you contend with mockery. When I Everybody needs to know that don’t see it…” hung a tambourine in my living every little thing that is done in The man continued to ask room, a family member made fun inyanei Moshiach has an enormous questions. A few days later his of it, but I said that I thought it effect and we can’t know how daughter-in-law called me and was important for anybody who powerful it is. When I had those asked to see the video. She entered my home to see the words written on the tambourine, watched it three times, four times, tambourine, to buy one too, and be did I dream that it would be given to check it out. ready for the hisgalus. to the Rebbe and we would have Another incident happened Although I am strong in my such chizuk from it? I just wrote after the picture was printed in belief, I’ve seen people make faces the message to be ready for the Beis Moshiach. Someone wrote a at me and they’ve made it hard for hisgalus. sharp letter to the editor and tried me to speak. There are people May Hashem help us see the to prove that the picture was a who, when I see them, I lose Rebbe MH”M immediately, now! fraud. I wrote him a response and Y.S. MOVING Professional Yossi Reasonable Tel: 718-467-0171 24 hour service Boxes available upon request. Cellular: 917-805-7757

 +BK>@EBJ S #'1 +-1&' !& PEIF@ERP SUMMERTIME ON SHLICHUS

By Rabbi Yaakov Shmuelevitz, Shliach - Beit Shaan

Mesibos Shabbos. Vacation time means working overtime If he’s lucky, the shliach will have for shluchim, who prepare weeks in a half-hour break until Mincha, niggunim at the third meal, a advance with endless meetings and maamer Chassidus, Maariv, a video of the Rebbe, Havdala, and on to an arrangements to provide day camps, Erev Chabad or a Melaveh Malka at the home of one of the mekuravim. services for tourists, shiurim, and Similar to the weekly “day of rest” is Chanuka “vacation.” During programs that are suitable for summer. this vacation, the shliach will hardly be home (don’t have pity, it’s true joy!). Then there’s “Sukkos While everybody else has next day’s activities. vacation,” “Purim vacation,” etc. vacation, the shluchim are extremely The shliach wakes up early busy. Take Shabbos for example, (sometimes he has to wake up at 6 which is called the “day of rest and a.m. since the mikva is open only THE “BIG VACATION” joy.” For shluchim it is a day of until 7). He will hurry to the Chabad The “Big Vacation” [summer “activity and joy.” Just before house and give a shiur in Chassidus vacation in Israel is called Chofesh Shabbos the shliach has to hurry and before davening. Often, this same HaGadol] begins two months before visit all the shuls in his area and shliach will be the chazan for the vacation. That’s when the shliach distribute weekly brochures, Shacharis, will review a sicha of the begins to look for staff for his day spreading the Rebbe’s teachings and Rebbe (who knows when he had a camp. It is important to note that a the B’suras HaGeula. Right after chance to prepare it), read the Torah good shliach who is looking for a that is the weekly speech that the portion, be the chazan for Musaf, girl to run his camp, asks questions shliach has to give in shul (at least and appear, full of enthusiasm, for like for a shidduch: Is she diligent one) before Kabbalas Shabbos. the farbrengen after davening. At and responsible? Is she properly When he arrives home, guests that point he will enthrall his Chassidish so that she can have the will be waiting for him, possibly in mekuravim with stories, sichos, and right influence on the staff of addition to the ones he brings home maamarim, l’chaim, l’chaim counselors, all the campers plus the with him. At the Shabbos table the u’li’vracha. young daughters of the shliach who shliach will tell stories and speak At home, the guests are waiting will be able to see a role model of about the parsha for hours. (If the to eat, for stories, for singing, and how a Chassidishe girl behaves and devoted shlucha goes to sleep, the divrei Torah. After the meal the looks? shliach will have the shlichus to clear shliach and/or some of his children Afterwards, by way of off the table.) Then he will learn will go to other neighborhoods and preparation for the “big vacation,” Rambam and sleep a little before the public parks, and gather children for the shliach will have to find a school

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  building or some empty place for the minyan in Laos or a shiur in Tanya of shiurim, for all ages and levels of camp. (In my experience, this takes in Rio de Janeiro. interest. Science and halacha, no less than 30 phone calls, letters, Since the shliach is the one to relationships and kabbala, family and meetings.) The counselors need ask about anything Jewish, purity, archeology and the Beis an apartment, arrangements have to sometimes the phone rings at odd HaMikdash, the mystery of the End be made with the pools, chocolate hours, Thailand-time or Los of Days, the year of Shmita, spiritual milk and rolls have to be bought, Angeles, China or Japan-time, when music and more and more. Each of information about an amusement it’s 2 or 4 in the morning here. Then these subjects is either a one-time park, a safari park, and some money the shliach calls to gather the class or a series of classes that will to pay to get into these places. necessary information and to enrich the participants with a wealth I will skip many more of the provide an answer to the faithful of knowledge in all areas of Torah preparations because during the “big tourists. and Chassidus. vacation” the shliach will spend So you can imagine how nice the You will also find shiurim on hours, days and nights, on the camp “Big Vacation” is for the shliach. Tanya, Talmud, “join a live itself. Usually, the shliach will have discussion between Moshe afternoon programs and youth clubs A FANTASTIC BROCHURE Rabbeinu, the Tanaim, Amoraim, in various neighborhoods and/or in FROM KARMIEL Rambam, and Kabbalists.” Other the Chabad house and topics include Pirkei Avos, Parsha, kindergartens, because the Rebbe Some shluchim are a bit more Lag B’Omer events, Shavuos, and wants all Jewish children to use the diligent, and their day camps are just 15 B’Av. And then there are the summer vacation to learn about the the tip of the iceberg of their Farbrengens and Evenings for Judaism that they don’t learn about summer activities. They have no Women. all year. vacation at all during the Big While many Jews are traveling on Vacation. For example, I came across a CHAVRUSA AT THE vacation to countries near and far, CHABAD HOUSE they won’t forget to stop at the fantastic brochure of a curriculum of Chabad house before they go in classes for summer 2007 at the The brochure includes an order to find out where they can find Chabad house of Karmiel. It is invitation to whoever wants to learn a kosher restaurant in Prague or a professionally done, the graphics, one-on-one. “Call and don’t learn place to stay in the Caribbean, a layout and all, 24 pages of all sorts alone.” Also an invitation to the

 +BK>@EBJ S #'1 +-1&' !& Shabbos meals, “Come and bring would collect young people who R’ Elishevitz relates: A woman your friends to an unforgettable were hanging around, and bring who saw the brochure called and experience.” From my experience, them home with him. said that for a long time now she these last two will bring the best Sometimes, in the middle of the wanted to be religious and didn’t results. meal, the roar of a motorcycle could know who to turn to. Now she A few years ago I gave a shiur in be heard in the yard and another wanted to learn as much as possible. Chassidus to a small group of two guys joined the meal. Today, In the meantime, she kashered her teachers in Beit Shaan. For some many of the people who attend the kitchen and her life has changed for reason, the shiur did not last long shul and are Rabbi Lisson’s the better. and slowly dwindled. One of them mekuravim, are those young men Every week, new people join the was very eager to continue learning who ate Shabbos meals with him. classes. The booklet has been and asked me to learn one-on-one The atmosphere of a Chassidishe distributed in yishuvim and hilltop with him. Shabbos was not forgotten and communities around Karmiel and Genius me, I told him that I had when they got older, they learned people come from all over. Some no time for private classes. He was how to make a proper Shabbos in come out of curiosity to a course in so taken aback that he almost did their own homes. kabbala and stay for an ongoing not want to hear anything more class in Tanya. from me. In the end, his desire to THE POWER OF ONE The shliach Rabbi Yosef Rivkin, learn Chassidus overcame his BROCHURE director of the Chabad house in astonishment and he continued, and Karmiel relates: Since my son-in-law even intensified his connection to Back to the amazing brochure I and daughter joined me in shlichus, the Rebbe and to Chabad. Today we was telling you about. A young we have had to rent another building learn together b’ chavrusa couple, Rabbi Mendy Elishevitz and for the Chabad house where we hold sometimes. his wife, joined the shlichus in all the new classes. Today, the Shabbos meals have great Karmiel and brought great talent to Chabad house is spread out over two potential. The shliach of the Rebbe it. R’ Elishevitz knows about stores in the center of the city, with in the West Karmel neighborhood in computers and graphics and his wife one serving as an office and store Chaifa, Rabbi Shlomo Chaim contributed the captivating writing and the other as a place for all the Lisson, started his shlichus by style describing the classes and shiurim. The brochure has made a investing a lot in his Shabbos meals. courses. Whoever sees this brochure great kiddush Hashem. It’s all the On his way home from shul he feels he just has to call and take at power of the meshaleiach. least one class, if not more.

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#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  @E>PPFA STAYING A CHASSID THROUGH TERROR AND DREAD

By Shneur Zalman Berger

of Kopust [see his profile is issue Rabbi Yaakov Notik a”h passed away #558]. Out of respect for his on Rosh Chodesh Sivan. He was an father, R’ Yaakov was willing to talk, and for many hours he shared activist who did not fear the his fascinating reminiscences. Sometimes he told something communists, he contended with the about himself, but he always made sure to get the conversation back government prosecutor of Samarkand, on track. When I suggested that we also speak about his life, he escaped by the skin of his teeth and rejected the idea out of hand. used a bogus identity for ten years, yet Over the years I spoke to him many times and he always spoke he did not stop teaching Torah to the about other Chassidim. One time I managed to convince him to talk T’mimim. Later, in Eretz Yisroel he did about his memories. I arrived at his home at the appointed time the Rebbe’s mivtzaim devotedly and and we sat down. He leaned his head forward a bit and with a persistently, despite his advanced age. bewildered expression on his face He was a tremendous Torah scholar, an he asked me, “What should I tell you? I have nothing to say.” And Ish Halacha, permeated with classic that’s how another golden opportunity ended. Jewish-Chassidic strength. Upon his passing, I collected the crumbs he had shared with me, from which I could piece together The mashpia, Rabbi Yaakov lived in before he married, he some of the important events in Notik passed away on Rosh answered curtly, “I wandered from his life. Together with his sons and Chodesh Sivan at the age of 86. here to there, from city to city.” those who knew him, we put We lost a Chassid who served as a Occasionally he related a bit, but together a history of this Chassidic role model by his very being and that was all. figure and Torah scholar, whose conduct. However, nine years ago I head was in Gemara, Shulchan R’ Notik hardly ever spoke wanted to talk to him about his Aruch, and Chassidus, who about his past. When he was asked father, the well-known Chassid, devoted himself to the chinuch of by one of his sons what cities he Rabbi Shmuel Notik a”h, the rav

 +BK>@EBJ S #'1 +-1&' !& his children and to strengthening and Miriam Notik, asked the and did not send him to public Judaism. Rebbe Rashab for a bracha for school, despite the pressure from children. The Rebbe told R’ the communist authorities, as R’ BORN WITH A Shmuel to take a position as rav in Yaakov told me: BRACHA FROM THE Kopust and said that in this merit “I did not spend a single day in he would have children. Two years school. I learned with my father at REBBE RASHAB later, on 21 Iyar 1921, Yaakov, the home. My father refused to send After being married a few oldest was born. us to public school. This was not years, his parents, Rabbi Shmuel R’ Shmuel protected his son an easy decision. Every year, at the beginning of the school year, representatives from the school came to our home and demanded that my father send us to school. My father gave various excuses and we stayed home.” R’ Shmuel, who was a mighty gaon (Torah genius), devoted most of his day to learning with his sons, Yaakov and his younger brother Sholom Ber: “My occupation is to give public shiurim like in Ein Yaakov and Mishnayos and Tanya every day,” he wrote in a letter dated the winter of 1929 to Rabbi Dovber Rivkin, rosh yeshivas Torah Vodaas. “And since in our town there is no proper melamed, therefore I must teach my sons. (Many rabbanim do so in our country.) “With my eldest, who is eight years old, I learn Chumash and Rashi, Neviim, and Gemara at a beginner’s level. With my younger son, who is six years old, I teach reading and beginner’s Chumash. From the time they reach the age to learn, I learn with them myself and practically the entire day involves learning with my sons and learning the shiurim and preparing shiurim. I have no free time for myself to learn regularly and in depth, as would be proper.” The communists persecuted R’ Shmuel for this and he tried to leave the country, but all attempts failed. In another letter, one that is heart-rending, he describes the suffering he endured when the communists did all they could to humiliate him and make his life

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  difficult: terrified about the danger to their was arrested and sent to exile in “Aside from the great poverty souls, ch”v. Kazakhstan. and the difficulty in making a “Whoever does not send their His wife and children remained livelihood, because all sources of children to school, as the behind. In addition to her concern parnasa are closed to me, I am government desires – so that they about her husband’s welfare, she also greatly persecuted by the should not be religious but learn to was also anxious about her government. They oppress me mock religion and religious people children’s future. She wanted them horribly. They impose large taxes – is considered a traitor. All the to learn Torah. She sent a letter to on me, which I cannot possibly persecutions with which they her brother-in-law, Rabbi Shimon pay. The amount is a sum that I persecute me are all because of Chanin, who quickly arranged don’t even earn in the course of an this, and I am in great danger, places for her sons in underground entire year. heaven forbid. yeshivos. “They also impose labor upon “I constantly anticipate the Many years later, when he lived me, to go to the forest and cut trees danger of being put in jail, ch”v, in Tashkent, during a Chassidishe in the winter, in the snow and because of the great taxes imposed farbrengen, R’ Yaakov said l’chaim terrible cold. They also impose on me constantly, which cannot many times and said that when he other difficult and humiliating jobs possibly be paid, and because of left Kopust he finally felt free. “In and the gentiles gather round me to this they arrest people and their Kopust I was known as the son of see my suffering, to laugh and ways are known. And I anticipate the rav, and I was beaten and mock and rejoice at my sorrow and an even greater danger ch”v, degraded by the goyim. In other the sorrow of all Jewry, seeing the because of my children – that I places they did not know who I was and I did not suffer.” At first, R’ Yaakov learned in Yaakov was frightened and was sure he Tomchei T’mimim in Klimovitz by Rabbi Zalman Buber (Pevsner). would be arrested. Maschi just looked Then he wandered among underground Tomchei T’mimim at him and said, ‘Hey Notik, were you in yeshivos in Kursk, Kuibyshev and Karalevitz. Sechaltuva?’ R’ Notik knew there was At the end of five years, in no point in lying, so he admitted it... 1940, R’ Shmuel was released. He went by train until he reached Mozaiesk, a suburb of Moscow, fall of Judaism and the Torah’s don’t send them to school and I where his wife and sons lived. humiliation, that the rav of the teach them Torah and Judaism. When the happy news reached town works at hard labor, against This is considered by them as one his son Yaakov, he immediately his will. Additionally, there are who organizes a rebellion against returned home in order to see his many other terrible persecutions the government. father. “It was thrilling to see my that cannot be explained in writing. “They have warned me a father, whole in body and soul, “They also try to force me to number of times to send my sons to after five years of exile. send my children to school, to school, but I put my life in my Throughout that period, we feared make them abandon their Judaism, hands and do not send them. Only for his lot. We knew that many did G-d forbid. I have two sons. One is G-d knows what will be. I need not return home, and that many 13 and the other is 11, and I much mercy and therefore we must who did were broken. My father, always learn with them and I flee from here.” who worked beyond his educate them in Judaism, and I capabilities and did not eat never sent them to school because THE SEPARATION forbidden foods, was very thin and there they teach the children heresy AND REUNION WITH weak. He said that the prisoners in and to hate the Jewish people. the camp lived in sub-human Everybody sends their children to HIS FATHER conditions. In any case, there was school because the law is that R’ Shmuel Notik’s “prophecy” tremendous simcha, especially everybody must do so, but I have that he was in danger of being when a short time later he never sent them. And we are always imprisoned, quickly came true. He recovered and regained his

 +BK>@EBJ S #'1 +-1&' !& strength.” oppressed those who studied At this point, R’ Yaakov went to Torah, the Nazis did as they distant Georgia, where he ran an pleased in large parts of the Soviet underground yeshiva, Tomchei Union, and everybody was T’mimim, in the city of Sukhumi. apprehensive about their relatives He served as the menahel and in other places. Nevertheless, the maggid shiur in the yeshiva. T’mimim devoted themselves to During the Holocaust, R’ their learning with mesirus Yaakov was in Kutaisi in Georgia. nefesh.” R’ Yaakov said that it was “From 1942 until 1946 I learned at this time that the nickname, in the yeshiva in Kutaisi, and “Yankel der Geller” (Yankel the actually reverted to the days of my Yellow) stuck because of the color youth, for I learned at home with of his beard. my father, who had come there because of the war. In Kutaisi my AN INEXPLICABLE father learned a lot with the MIRACLE talmidim and encouraged them to learn. He also gave shiurim in A special farbrengen was held for Yud- During the World War II, the Tes Kislev 5745 for the newspaper Chassidic maamarim of the Rebbe Russian government drafted every Erev Shabbat, which was attended by healthy male. The talmidim in the Rashab, and in Nigleh he taught five Chassidim from the Soviet Union. yeshiva in Kutaisi were in danger Gemara and commentaries. Sitting from right to left: R’ Mendel “The learning atmosphere Garelik, R’ Yaakov Notik, R’ Sholom of being drafted. Rabbi Yechezkel during the war was something Vilenkin, R’ Zalman Leib Estulin, and Brod a”h, who taught at that time special. The communists R’ Michoel Mishulovin in Kutaisi, related the great miracle that happened to R’ Yaakov Notik: “R’ Notik was registered in Kutaisi, but when the draft notices began to arrive at his house, he ignored them. As a result, he did not have legal documents and this was very dangerous. From time to time the police did inspections and asked people to show their identification papers and their exemption from the army. “Not far from Kutaisi is a health resort town Sechaltuva. Someone managed to steal exemption papers from the authorities there (“white papers”) stamped with half the seal (the other half had to be stamped on the picture), and sold them to whoever was interested. This person knew how to attach the person’s picture and forge the second half of the stamp. This is how many people got counterfeit exemption papers. Rabbi Notik with his children in Samarkand. On top from right to left: Dovid “R’ Notik traveled there and Aharon, Shmuel, Avrohom Zerach. Below from right to left: Yosef Yitzchok, Bas- bought one of these exemptions. It Sheva, Rabbi Yaakov Notik. (the picture was taken before the youngest, the could only fool a policeman but mashpia R’ Zalman Notik, was born) not someone from the local draft

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  office. “The commander of the draft “I never saw such diligence, a Jew office in Kutaisi – Maschi was his name – knew us personally, and he sitting in terrible fear, and learning all knew who had presented himself to the draft board and who hadn’t. day…” One day, he saw Yaakov Notik on the street. He was well aware that R’ Yaakov knew that the danger. At farbrengens, R’ Notik Yaakov had avoided the draft authorities would start looking for would say l’chaim for his family in order. Yaakov was frightened and him since some of his relatives had exile. was sure he would be arrested. managed to leave the Soviet In Nissan 1949, the festive Maschi just looked at him and Union, three had been caught, and holiday atmosphere was sullied by said, ‘Hey Notik, were you in he remained free in the Soviet the sad news of the passing of his Sechaltuva?’ R’ Notik knew there Union. He obtained various father, in exile in Kazakhstan. He was no point in lying, so he documents, changed his name, and later learned that his father had admitted it. ‘Go take a walk,’ said was known by the name Eli Moshe contracted hepatitis and had Maschi with a smile. Milstein. He used this identity for recovered but then had had a “R’ Notik returned to us, a decade! relapse which was even more trembling from the miracle that he He lived in Tashkent, where he severe than the first round. He had personally experienced. The worked as a shochet for the quickly deteriorated until he truth is that none of us could butcher R’ Meir Stambler a”h. He passed away after much suffering. understand it. Instead of arresting lived with Rabbi Shmuel R’ Yaakov had to hide in the him, the commander let him know Menachem Klein a”h, a months to come, after he found that he knew about the forgery, distinguished Chabad Chassid in out that searches for him had but he let him go.” Tashkent. During these years, he intensified. Having no choice, he learned with R’ Shmuel changed his appearance. TEN YEARS WITH A Menachem’s son, R’ Zalman Klein Nevertheless, he did not go out in a”h. the street. He hid in the homes of BOGUS IDENTITY R’ Lipa Klein, R’ Shmuel Chassidim in Tashkent. Sometimes R’ Notik’s parents and sister Menachem’s younger son, he even had to hide in cramped tried to leave the country via remembers that even at this time, attics. Poland on a train with R’ Mendel R’ Notik was known as an Every so often he changed his Futerfas, but they were caught, exceptional Torah scholar who hiding place and when he had to arrested, and exiled. grew his beard in spite of the do so, he wore a large scarf over his face so he would not be identified. R’ Zalman Klein related that he remembered R’ Yaakov sitting in a narrow hiding place with the Alter Rebbe’s Shulchan Aruch and learning all day. “I never saw such diligence, a Jew sitting in terrible fear, and learning all day…” Rabbi Michoel Mishulovin related, “During the time he hid in our home, he learned Gemara with me for a few hours a day. We learned the tractate Kiddushin. Even after he moved to another hiding place, we would go to him secretly so he could shecht a chicken for us.” [To be continued be”H] Reciting the HaGomel blessing by the Rebbe

 +BK>@EBJ S #'1 +-1&' !& PEIBFJRPEE>¤>OBQW EXPULSION IS DEATH

By Shai Gefen

CHILLING FACTS young people adrift, and no solution the “final solution.” It’s incredible It’s two years since the expulsion in sight. Remember the propaganda how apathetic the public is. A few from Gush Katif and it’s hard to campaign on the eve of the weeks ago, on a trip, a couple of believe it. The agriculturists of the expulsion by the Sharon family, at Israelis sat near me who were Gush, most of whom are the cost of tens of millions of shekels reading for the first time about the unemployed, have been that promised, “There is a solution condition of the expellees. demonstrating under the slogan, for every settler?” That’s how public They admitted, “We couldn’t “Give us back what you took from opinion was won over for the finish reading the article, we burst us.” And they took a lot. They took expulsion which was nothing but a into tears.” That is precisely the their souls, their bodies, and their crime against humanity. reason why the media is keeping property. In other countries, they were able silent, for the purpose of wiping out Groups of people from the Left to delude the public by saying that those communities. demonstrated this week on behalf of “work makes you free,” and in Israel Two years later and there is the refugees from Darfur. That’s they promised a solution for every nobody who hasn’t seen what who they’re worried about. Among settler. Perhaps this is their idea of happened. We are still discovering their signs was one that said, “Expulsion is death.” That can be said about the expellees from Gush Katif and northern Shomron, yet those who are ready to endanger millions of Jews for personal gain have no problem uprooting and destroying thousands of families who will never go back to what they had. A new and chilling movie will be marketed by the Organization to Save the Nation and the Land, about the terrible situation the expellees are in. It’s a sequel to the movie There is Justice and there is a Judge. In this movie viewers will learn disturbing facts about the refugees within our own country, about homes and families that have been destroyed, about increased illness; Israeli soldiers during a training exercise in the Golan Heights

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  new layers of evil on the part of our people living in Gush Katif, but urgent, some less urgent. The leaders. Not one has gotten up and destroyed their lives and robbed discussions were secret, but here and said, “We made a mistake.” The them of their property and there word got out about the topics solution to the situation created by livelihoods. Yet, with fraudulent that were discussed. our leaders is to go deeper into the Ahavas Yisroel, they eagerly It’s definitely all fine and good, mud by releasing terrorists, by defended those who did the but the more we heard, the more it pardoning terrorists, by expelling and attacked those who became clear that the danger strengthening Abu Mazen, by dared to name them and publicize crouching at our doorstep wasn’t establishing a Palestinian state their pictures. discussed at all. This should have throughout Yehuda-Shomron, by Isn’t the hand that was raised been the main subject, especially two looking away from those wanted for against ten thousand Jews and years after the expulsion. blood on their hands, by allowing robbed them of their dignity and This is a recurring phenomenon. terrorist leaders to enter Israel, by lives a more serious crime than that When we need to hear the opinion expelling hundreds of thousands committed by De Hartuch? Is the of rabbanim on the burning issues of more Jews, giving away the Golan, hand that aided Hamas and Al the day, suddenly, there is silence. etc. We are inclined to think we are Qaeda to establish a terror state that On every other topic, even marginal talking about “political spin,” but the threatens the peace of the Jewish subjects, we hear all sorts of protests truth is that they mean what they nation a more gentle hand? and views, yet when it comes to our say. A pity that our own people security and that of the entire nation It’s hard to believe how removed display a double standard, while they in Eretz Yisroel, the rabbanim are this sector is from reality. From haul De Hartuch over the coals, they quiet. where they are sitting, they see only themselves and the desire to prevail over the waves that threaten their On every other topic, even marginal kingdom. “What you see from there is not what is seen over here,” they subjects, we hear all sorts of protests remind us. And they’re right. and views, yet when it comes to our THE FATE OF DE security and that of the entire nation in HARTUCH – THE FATE OF Eretz Yisroel, the rabbanim are quiet. THE EXPELLEES Earlier this month an attorney hit a chareidi Knesset member, a deed are the same ones who go all out to The Rebbe said a shocking sicha which shocked many. Unfortunately, protect the hand that cut off a about the convening of rabbanim, the anti-Semitic media justified the portion of the land and the lives of and how they talk about everything attack. We all instinctively recoil so many families. but shleimus ha’Aretz. The Rebbe from physical violence, especially in Two years after the expulsion we said this sicha regarding the Sixth a case when the context is clear and have to be the voice of conscience Knessia G’dola in Yerushalayim we all know De Hartuch’s attitude and keep saying, “We won’t forget (VaYeitzei 5740): towards mosdos Torah over the and we won’t forgive.” One who When many dozens of Jews years. raises his hand against Eretz Yisroel, gather, all of whom are shomrei What’s surprising is that those will have to give an accounting for Torah and mitzvos, who review the who castigated De Hartuch and what he did. parsha every Shabbos, including turned him into a despicable those Shabbasos when it talks criminal because he raised his hand, GATHERING OF about the true borders of Eretz were the same ones who, just RABBANIM AND NOT Yisroel. In addition, some of them months ago, protested those who read the newspapers and know protested and named those who A WORD ABOUT what is going on in the world. And perpetrated the Expulsion, in the PIKUACH NEFESH being that this convention is for Black Book. Last week there was a meeting of the purpose of strengthening Torah Those who carried out the Chabad rabbanim where they and Yiddishkait, how is it possible Expulsion not only attacked the discussed various topics, some more that they spent three days together

 +BK>@EBJ S #'1 +-1&' !& and spoke about the most meantime there were many other the protest will help, he must important matters, and made good good resolutions made and these protest! resolutions, but regarding actual will be implemented. The Shulchan Aruch was pikuach nefesh of more than a few I said to him – you can ask him printed in Tzfas by the Master of dozen Jews, they didn’t say a – there is a din in Shulchan Aruch the Land of Israel, the Beis Yosef, word? And nobody protested that one who is quiet or one who and there’s a clear p’sak din there. either! waits until they come to him and He doesn’t pasken without giving a And then they printed up a ask him about pikuach nefesh is reason, for then people could report in which they enumerated called, “disgraceful!” And he debate the reason, but he says the the good resolutions, without knows this din too! reason, “the land will be open mentioning even one word about Since he was a Jew who knew before them”! the danger the Jewish people are how to learn, he answered me: It Therefore, this is quoted by the in! You don’t want to mention it says in the Gemara, “Just as it is a poskim who speak about the laws openly? What does it mean that it mitzva to say that which will be pertaining to outside Eretz Yisroel. is not out in the open? It is public heard, so too, it is a mitzva not to Although the discussion in the knowledge throughout the world say that which won’t be heard.” tractate Eruvin can be debated if it and cannot be made secret! And since he knows that they will pertains to Jewish towns in Eretz The only excuse I was given was not deal with this issue, it is Yisroel or also outside Eretz that since they are past their bar something that “will not be Yisroel, but the commentators on mitzva (i.e., adults), go and ask heard.” Therefore he doesn’t want the Shas and Shulchan Aruch them directly! I asked one to rule on the matter. bring this regarding the laws of individual and was told: he already So I maintained: That is not outside Eretz Yisroel even did his part… I asked: What was according to Shulchan Aruch! The nowadays, without any distinction, done about the situation of meaning of “do not stand by your and they placed this within the pikuach nefesh? He answered me: brother’s blood” means, according Laws of Shabbos with the reason, This is not the place to get into to Shulchan Aruch, that even “the land will be open before that and on another occasion he when there is a doubt, and a them”! would speak with so-and-so about shadow of a doubt, and even the pikuach nefesh, but in the thousandth of a doubt that perhaps

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#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  PQLOV YOU SPOKE? IT WAS THE REBBE TALKING!

By Avrohom Ber Translated By Michoel Leib Dobry

“Attorney Ring began to deal Tense silence reigned in the courtroom with the file. I pressured him to rush as I finished speaking. After the judges with his handling of my case in order to have everything completed consulted one another for a few before my wedding. I asked him to let me know before the start of each minutes, they decided to grant the long- stage in the process, so I could ask the Rebbe for a bracha. awaited visa. I returned jubilant to my “Over this period of time, we became quite friendly. We would sit office in New York, and I called Raskin, sometimes and talk about a variety “Bring a bottle of whiskey and come to of things. “A few months later, the attorney my office.” informed me that the time had come to submit the documents for a very The process of getting a Green papers. However, besides obtaining important stage in my request. ‘This Card, the necessary papers to enable these documents, he was also is a very critical moment,’ the someone to live in the United States, privileged to hear a miraculous story attorney said. ‘Write down the has never been an easy task. It is a from the Rebbe MH”M, which he date…’ complicated process, usually retells here. “As he told me the secular date, I requiring the assistance of an was feverishly checking the calendar, attorney with expertise in such trying to find the Hebrew date when THIS IS NO the hearing would take place. When matters. The attorney deals with all SUPERSTITION the documents, makes an I found it, my joy began to vanish. appointment for a hearing, and “About twenty-five years ago, The date was during the Nine Days, accompanies his client every step of close to the time of my wedding, I and I didn’t want to take such an the way until he receives the papers. began the process of applying for a important step during this time, Without a lawyer, the process can be Green Card. I turned to a Jewish when it is highly inadvisable a real challenge. lawyer, named Ring, and requested halachically to engage in a court This is the reason that Rabbi that he handle my case. This case before a gentile, etc. Boruch Lepkivker, today one of the attorney was known as an expert in “When I asked the attorney to Rebbe MH”M’s shluchim in New emigration matters. Even Merkaz postpone the hearing, he responded Jersey, decided to retain an attorney L’Inyanei Chinuch would use his with astonishment. ‘You’re the one to help him obtain his emigration services in a variety of instances. who was pressuring me to rush with

 +BK>@EBJ S #'1 +-1&' !& the handling of the case, and now he added, ‘He came because of your Surely, you will ask: Why? There you suddenly ask me for a Rebbe.’ was another lawyer in town named postponement? Do you understand “The attorney had managed to H., who dealt with the arrangement the implications upon the case if you arouse my curiosity. If this was of U.S. residency documents. He postpone for almost two weeks?’ connected to the Rebbe, I wanted to was a relative of one of the local “I started to explain to him that hear the whole story, and so he Lubavitcher families, and his nothing would make me happier began to tell it.” relatives made certain to send him than if we could finish matters all the Lubavitcher clients. I almost quickly, but our holy Torah teaches “I CAME TO YOU ON THE never saw any business from these us that it is a problem to have a REBBE’S SHLICHUS” chassidim. court case during the days of “In any event, the Lubavitcher on mourning for the destruction of the “Thirty years ago, during the the phone introduced himself as Beis HaMikdash. fifties, a large flood of refugees Leibel Raskin, and asked for my “He didn’t seem to buy my arrived in America. This was after help. His story was not all that explanation. ‘Boruch,’ he said, ‘I’ve the Second World War, and many simple. In response to my first known you to be a rational person, people had come to try and build a question, he replied that he has normal in every respect. It’s not new life on a new continent. As all already been to see H., and had even appropriate for you to hold by these other attorneys in the city, I also submitted a visa request. However, superstitious old wives’ tales.’ tried to make some money from his application had been denied, and “I explained to him that there’s a arranging resident visas in the they had even issued deportation difference between superstition and United States for the new émigrés. orders against him. faith according to the Code of Jewish “One day, the telephone rang in “‘I wrote to the Rebbe,’ the Law. The attorney was genuinely my office. The secretary who gave young man told me, ‘and the Rebbe impressed by this faith, and he me the phone told me that some said that since it’s possible to file for openly expressed feelings of praise. Lubavitcher wanted to speak with an appeal, I should do so, but I “Suddenly, he became very quiet, me. I furrowed my eyebrow and should do it through you.’ and there was a look of distance in shrugged my shoulders in “The truth is that I was flattered his eyes. ‘You know something?’ he puzzlement. ‘I have no idea why he’s that the Lubavitcher Rebbe himself said. ‘You remind me of someone calling,’ she said. was sending me clients. I invited him who came to me thirty years ago. He “Why the great wonder? The to come to my office and make an was also a Lubavitcher.’ He was fact is that it was most unusual for a appointment. “Bring all relevant quiet again for a moment, and then Lubavitcher to contact my office. documents with you,’ I reminded him before concluding the conversation. “When the young man arrived at my office, I asked him why his initial request had been rejected. He replied quite plainly: ‘The people at the immigration service decided that it simply wasn’t possible that I served in my listed profession.’ “I looked at the document to see what position the young man before me supposedly filled, and I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. According to the papers that were in my hand, this eighteen-year old youth sitting in my office was the director of Chabad activities in Europe. “‘Listen,’ I told him, ‘I know the system. After such a blatant lie, there is no chance that they will give you

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  the permit this time around. I can’t convince them that “It was eventually decided that since the client had an eighteen-year old boy is the director of all of Chabad no obligation to appear personally before the court, I activities in Europe. Forget it. From my point of view, would travel there alone and represent him. The appeals the story’s over. You may go.’ I quietly pointed in the court was located in a remote town in Vermont (where, direction of the door leaving my office, and went back to incidentally, R. Leibel Raskin’s son, Rabbi Yitzchak work. Raskin, serves today as the state’s head shliach). We’re “When I lifted my head again after a few minutes, he talking about a good few hours journey each way. was still sitting there. ‘What are you doing here?’ I “I traveled to the court alone, and I thought about queried. ‘I told you to leave. Don’t you understand that how the trip was totally unnecessary. There was no there’s no chance?’ chance the request would be granted, my honor would “He replied with a stern expression on his face: ‘Do be besmirched, and I didn’t even why I took on the case you think the Rebbe sent me to you to get your opinion in the first place. Yet, I comforted myself by the fact that on my chances of winning an appeal? The Rebbe sent at least I was getting paid for the trip, as I would for any me because the process will go other hour of work. through you. Do your job.’ “I arrived at the “What can I do with courthouse, entered the hall, someone so insolent? and waited my turn to be “With no alternative, I called in for a hearing, as I still agreed to take on the case. saw no chance of success on However, I made this the horizon. conditional upon his paying me “Then, just as I began to for every stage of the process speak before the judge, I got that we complete, as opposed an inspiration that I had never to all other cases when had before. Pay close attention payment is made only at the to what I said: end. He accepted. “I was asked regarding my “I found his confidence that client, Leib Raskin, who had he would receive his residency submitted a residency permit permit slightly amusing. request that had been denied, and who was now making a REVOLUTION IN second request. I was asked THE COURTROOM why I thought the first court decision was wrong to rule that “I began work on the file, such a young man could not and things actually went possibly be the director of such smoothly. The first stages a large operation as Chabad passed easily and quickly. We activities in Europe. I then came to the critical stage, proceeded to explain with a when the outcome of the case Rabbi Leibel Raskin a”h brief introduction: will be finally decided. I called “‘We are used to American him to let him know the date young men. They grow up near of the hearing, which was due to take place in a few their mother until the age of eighteen, and only then do weeks. And what was his reply when he discovered when they actually leave their nest and go out into the big the hearing would be? wide world. An American lad of eighteen really couldn’t “‘I’m sorry, Mr. Ring, but I can’t come on that day. run such a vast project. That’s a very big day for Lubavitcher chassidim. On that “‘In contrast, this case deals with a totally different day, the Rebbe will make a major public address. I situation. My client is a native of the Soviet Union, and simply can’t be away from the Rebbe on such a day.’ we all know about Communism and what it has done to “Nu, what could you say? I couldn’t call for a Russian Jewry. An Orthodox Jewish boy who grew up in postponement after all the many efforts involved, and my Russia acquired – against his will – emotional maturity client would not agree to come on that day. Now you far greater than any other child his age. understand why I remembered him after you wouldn’t “‘Therefore, when we’re talking about someone who agree to come on the date I set for you? The same was already sitting and learning in an underground craziness, only thirty years later…

 +BK>@EBJ S #'1 +-1&' !& Talmud Torah at age three, had with this young man knows that he only attorney in America who knew escaped from pursuers at age five, may be only eighteen years old, but how to win such a case in appeals smuggled Judaica items at age eight, he is as mature as a man of forty. court.’” was making a living at age eleven, He has no problem with running * * * and by the age of thirteen was such a project, and even projects on “The attorney turned red as he running a network of…’ a far greater scale.’ concluded his thrilling story,” “In short, I put together all the “Tense silence reigned in the described Rabbi Lepkivker, “as his stories that I knew about Russian courtroom as I finished speaking. face displayed great anger.” Jewry, and I attributed them all to After the judges consulted one “After saving this young man one hero. I described him as another for a few minutes, they from deportation, his response was someone who went through the decided to grant the long-awaited shocking: ‘Don’t you understand worst possible things in the world, visa. yet? You were the smart one? You and yet he knew how to survive. “I returned jubilant to my office spoke? It was the Rebbe talking!’” “‘As a result,’ I concluded, ‘I in New York, and I called Raskin, Another marvelous story of believe that there has been a clear ‘Bring a bottle of whiskey and come Divine Providence, another miracle misunderstanding in relation to my to my office.’ of the Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach. client. Whoever signed on the “When he arrived, I gave him the What is perhaps most unique about previous decision to deny the permit promised signed permit, and now this story is the way this young doesn’t know about the young men with the successful conclusion of the Lubavitcher chassid expressed his who grew up in Russia, and case, which as you recall did not simple faith that the whole world is therefore, he cannot possibly believe start off on the right foot, I decided merely the Rebbe’s means to achieve that such a youngster could be in to compliment him a little. ‘You his desired ends. Thus, when we go charge of Chabad activities overseas. know,’ I said, ‘you really have a wise with the strength of the Rebbe, the However, anyone who is familiar Rebbe. He knew how to pick the world is no obstacle. Shmira EEsstthheerr’’ss PPaarrttyy GGrriillll is looking to hire a driver to patrol 463 Albany Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11213 718-735-4343 every evening CATERING ON OR OFF THE PREMISES from 7:00pm - 11:00pm CORPORATE ACCOUNTS WELCOME. Please call 917-709-1404 SHLUCHIM; SPECIAL RATES FOR to discuss position and salary. SHABBATONS & PARTIES

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#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  QELRDEQ THE AFTERMATH

By Rabbi Simon Jacobson

several more wars have been fought No matter who you are or what you do, – with far less pride and success – the Yom Kippur war in 1973, the you will have moments of inspiration – Lebanese War in 1981, the ongoing a time when your heart will be open and Intifadas. The only thing predictable in Israel today is unpredictability. your soul stirred. Today, 1967 seems like another lifetime. Terrorism is now the norm in the No matter how stuck you may be, a Middle East. It began in Israel, but window of opportunity will open in your now it has spread to the entire world – in all its hemispheres. life. And what you do at that moment People in Israel and all over the world are weary, resigned, confused will make all the difference. by an unknown future. The political systems are in shambles and the But what happens when a moment of confidence in leaders is all but gone. The mere fact that the country is inspiration is not realized? running is in itself quite a miracle. What is even more confusing – and miraculous – is that in this toxic This week’s essay – a sequel to last climate Israel’s economy is booming, week – discusses the power of with unprecedented prosperity. Just last summer yet another inspiration and the profound senseless war was fought in Lebanon – draining and humiliating Israel, consequences of not acting on a call leaving everyone more resigned than ever. from above, and what we can do to Even more bizarre and ironic is the fact that today’s Islamic terror mend it – both in our personal and campaign is driven by misplaced collective lives. faith. Faith – the power that was stirred in 1967 – now is regularly abused by others to wreak Last week’s article addressed the – in the pleasures of life, and those destruction on innocent people… great spiritual awakening that took “banished in the land of Mitzrayim” How could things have changed place 40 years ago, in the summer of – in the oppressive forces of life. so drastically? 1967. Forty years have passed since the The argument can be made, that At the time the Rebbe referred to ’67 summer of awakening. Have with the fundamental changes that the awakening as the onset of the things changed? And how! have taken place over the past 40 “great shofar” call which resulted Everything gained back then seems years, who really cares what from the miraculous Six-Day war to be lost now. Indeed, it often happened in 1967? Whatever victory. The call of the “great shofar” appears as things are worse today happened then was then, but today, touched a deep chord inside people, than they were prior to 1967. forty years later, we live in a new even those “lost in the land of Ashur” During the past four decades world order, far more complex.

 +BK>@EBJ S #'1 +-1&' !& Instead of an awakening we have a major mess. Peace seems farther than ever. So what difference does it make what transpired 40 years ago? How does that knowledge help us today? But, the truth is that the only real way to solve a problem is by looking at its roots; to deal with the causes and not just the symptoms. Thus, the only way to address today’s challenges is to look back at the events of 40 years ago, and trace today’s events to their earliest roots. So let’s revisit 1967 and take a closer look at the events that followed the Six-Day War. There was an undeniable awakening at the time that electrified the world. But the big question, of course, is what happened next? What happened next is perhaps the most important story of our modern times. Initially, in the immediate aftermath of the Six-Day War, everyone recognized and marveled at the hand of G-d, eliciting a profound faith-inspiring euphoria. But just after a few days, the wonder began to wane and people began to dismiss the miracle by explaining the events away. They began to take credit for the smashing victory – arguing that it was due to the great training and discipline of the Israeli Army. This is the nature of all success: After the initial appreciation, we usually gravitate to taking it for granted and feeling that we are self- made successes. The same with every inspiration: It dissipates unless it is kept alive. Therein – the denial of G-d’s miracles and hand in victory – lays the undoing of all great successes, throughout history. Arrogance, the delusional sense of all-powerful invulnerability, brought down many an empire and many a leader in centuries past. The Torah warns us of this human tendency (Deuteronomy 8:17-18): [When you achieve success

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  and prosperity be careful that you turn give you the strength to face any every person at times may be not] say to yourself, “It was my own challenge. tempted to feel that he is a self-made strength and personal power that This is the both the great gift – entity. In order to remind us all that brought me all this prosperity.” You and power – of free will: We have the as great as we may be, we must must remember that it is G-d who ability to open or close the channels always appreciate our blessings from gives you the power to become of blessings. above, the universe was created in a prosperous. He does this so as to keep This is true anywhere, anytime in way that there always remains one the covenant that He made with an every life experience, in every part of vulnerable corner – the northern oath to your fathers, even as [He is the world. How much more so in the border – which can allow in keeping it] today. Promised Land, which is so much problems, “out of the north the evil Why is it a problem to feel self more dependent on the Divine will break forth on all the inhabitants made? If a child wants to be foolish covenant, without which Jews would of the land” (Jeremiah 1:14). and convince himself that he is self have no right or chance of survival, No matter how successful a made – let him be; why should it surrounded by hundreds of millions person may be, even if all “three matter what he thinks? Does is it of enemies. sides” of your life are covered, we have any negative impact? Tragically, this is what happened always remain vulnerable creatures. The answer is absolutely yes. back in 1967. People began to feel Everyone should always be blessed, Besides for the fact that we shouldn’t that huge victory was due to their but we never can know when or be living in delusions, and we own great power. Kochi v’otzem yodi where a “curveball” may come. shouldn’t be ungracious in – “It was my own strength and Never, ever forget that we need every acknowledging those that helped us personal power that brought me all blessing we can get. If you ever feel achieve success, there is a deeper this prosperity.” self made, be careful, because you issue at stake. By denying your Ironically, both left wing and may be them challenged: Ok, you blessings and cutting G-d out of the right wing extremists assumed the think you’re an all powerful, self picture, you end up creating a self- same position and cut G-d out of the created individual, let’s see what you defeating prophesy. Attributing picture: The secular left, denying the can do with the vulnerable (“north”) success solely to yourself basically Divine hand, by arrogantly taking areas of life… Go ahead, show us renders you into a vulnerable credit for their own successes. Some how you can close up and protect creature, with no strength but your religious extremists argued that the that open border. own. Once you refuse to recognize victory did not come from G-d but But if you recognize the true the “hand inside the glove,” even the from the “other side.” They felt that Creator, then He will do what is “Hand” itself cannot do anything to G-d would not work miracles necessary to protect us from the show its strength. through the secular “Zionists” who “north,” he will finish and seal the In psychological terms: A mortal defy G-d. vulnerable points. creature needs nurturing and love. In And this is the root of all the In a most uncanny fashion, this this cruel world, every one of us problems: By denying the Divine Midrash is literally being played out must have an unwavering foundation hand and not actualizing the call of in Israel: Despite the great success of that holds us up. Without it – our the “great shofar,” we actually make the Six-Day war, which basically conscious and unconscious never it more difficult to manifest the eliminated the enemy in the South develop the strength and confidence channels of blessing. (Egypt), East (Jordan), Northeast necessary to navigate life. Witness A strange Midrash illuminates (Syria) and West (the the profound effects that an un- this point even further: The Talmud Mediterranean) – Israel’s northern nurtured (or abused) childhood has states that “the world is like a border (Lebanon) has always on a person’s self esteem and inner balcony without the fourth, northern, remained a vulnerable sore point. security. Without the fortitude wall” (Bava Basra 25b). Why? Forty years have passed since the provided by a higher power, we are Explains the Midrash: Should ’67 war, people have argued that our left to our own vulnerable schemes, someone claim to be the Creator, he strength is “self made,” and till this with the existential fears, insecurities will be told to finish the northern day the “northern front” remains a loneliness of our psyches – left alone, wall (Pirkei D’Rebbe Elozor Ch. 3). source of festering misery – as relying on our own, weak selves. What is the meaning of this witnessed in the Lebanese War in The humility of recognizing the cryptic statement? Who in their right 1982, and again last summer, with Divine blessing of your success mind would suggest that he is the thousands of missiles raining down opens up the channels to manifest Creator?! on Israel in the years in between. and contain these blessings. Which in The Midrash is telling us, that Indeed, the lack of healthy faith

 +BK>@EBJ S #'1 +-1&' !& in the Divine hand at work, has for each other is a given. In G-d we will solve all the deep distrust and created a vacuum which has allowed trust creates a firm foundation that animosities. However, the question for a distorted faith to emerge – yet allows for coexistence, despite our should be posed the other way: Can another ironic twist – the misplaced differences. peace be achieved without healthy faith of Muslim extremists, who in Many ideas have been presented faith? So, in addition to all the other the name of faith, are wreaking suggested to bring peace to the political and diplomatic means being havoc and murdering innocent Middle East. One way that has not employed, it would be a good idea to people. been explored is the path of faith – introduce the element of humble Conversely, this also teaches us healthy faith. faith. what we need to do to achieve and While it is true that we are Looking back at the events of maintain success: We need to witness to profound intolerance in 1967 and seeing what transpired recognize the Divine hand affecting the name of faith – both today and over the last four decades, perhaps our lives, and ensure that we over the centuries, yet a similar level we now have the wisdom and actualize our Divine calling in our of intolerance is practiced by those experience to launch a new offensive daily lives. without faith. Without respect for the – one built on humility and In the words of Isaiah: Following sanctity of each and every life, appreciation of the miracles in our the call of the “great shofar” comes ultimately “self-made” men will lives. the second half of the verse and the follow the “survival of the fittest” Now forty years later, blessed challenge: Will the call lead us to dictum. When success is seen as self- with the insight 40 years bring, the “come and bow down to G-d on the made, with mo need to humbly lessons are relevant more than ever holy mountain in Jerusalem”? The acknowledge a higher presence, how as we have witnessed, in retrospect, victory 40 years ago sounded a “call” can people ever treat each others as the consequences of ignoring or denying the Divine hand. We now can appreciate that we By denying the Divine hand and not must do everything possible to reintroduce the Higher power behind actualizing the call of the “great shofar,” the script of world events, and especially those in the Middle East we actually make it more difficult to It is never too late. With forty years of accumulative experience, we manifest the channels of blessing. now can reignite V’haya iota b’shofar gadol – the call of the “great shofar,” that touched millions. But, as it is equals? Hence, there will never be which reaches those “lost in the land with every inspiration, the challenge permanent peace. of Ashur” and those “banished in the is maintaining the inspiration. As the This suggests a third path – land of Mitzrayim.” And above all – inspiration dissipates we tend to take neither the path of faithlessness not to ensure that this call will cause our miracles and gifts for granted. the path of fanatical faith. Rather the them all to “come and bow down” Will we utilize this awakening to its path of a faith in G-d who created all not to themselves and their self-made fullest? Will we act upon it and allow life, thus a faith that dictates the illusions, but “to G-d on the holy it to change our lives? sanctity of every life, Jew, Christian mountain in Jerusalem,” and do so Recognizing the Divine hand is or Muslim, black or white. not once, but on a permanent basis. also the secret to peace: In essence, the lack of humble This is the lesson for the summer True peace between peoples is recognition in the Divine miracles of 2007: Recognize the great hand of only possible when there is a ultimately is the greatest cause for G-d in our lives, and allow His fundamental respect for the sanctity the escalation of hostilities. Left on blessings to take hold. of every life and every human being. our own, without acknowledging This in turn will open up the Self-made people will compete for G-d’s gift of life, we will be at each channels of blessings, drawing them dominance and superiority. When other’s throats, either in the name down into every aspect of our lives. people feel that they are self made, it of (misplaced) faith or in the name Leading, finally, to the ultimate is not a far step to abuse the rights of of faithlessness. blessing: Peace in our lives, in our others. But when we accept that “all Obviously, there are other factors communities, in the Middle East and people were created equal” and by necessary to consider in order to in the world at large. virtue of our Divine souls each of us achieve peace in Israel. I am not Reprinted with permission from has unalienable rights, than respect naively suggesting that faith alone www.meaningfullife.com

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  JFSQW>FJ MIVTZAIM TANKS ON THE FRONTLINES

By Shneur Zalman Berger

SHOCKING SIGHT high. At any moment, from any forces take up positions, bearded It was surreal. Steel tanks, direction, bullets whiz by. And men jump out. They wear army armored half-tracks, jeeps and within the fire and inferno there uniforms, bulletproof vests, and infantry tramping across Lebanon. goes a Chabad mitzva tank with are armed, and they invite the Blistering weapons fire on all Chassidic music playing! soldiers to put on t’fillin. sides and tension at an all-time At the first opportunity, as the This was no one-time

 +BK>@EBJ S #'1 +-1&' !& for it. “We entered the fray with our “The Mobile Mitzva Tanks of Chabad in tanks from the beginning of the war, in Sivan 5742 (summer the north of the country joined the 1982), with the permission of the army. I won’t tell you it was columns of IDF tanks and armored simple, because this war wasn’t child’s play; it entailed real vehicles moving towards southern danger. Army officers were afraid Lebanon. The Chabadnikim are the for our welfare, and also apprehensive about our wearing army’s mascot.” This is how one of the civilian clothes. “After extended discussions, it was decided that newspapers described the Chabad the Tankists would only include those who had previously served mitzva tanks during the Peace in in the army and each of the Tankists received a uniform, Galilee War, 25 years ago. * A bulletproof vest, and a weapon. retrospective on the work of Chabad on You can see us in the pictures dressed as Israeli soldiers, the frontlines during the war 25 years working for the Rebbe.” Over the years, the ago, as we mark the anniversary of the administration of the Mobile Tanks received encouraging second war in Lebanon, which took answers from the Rebbe. During the Peace in Galilee War, nearly place one year ago. every activity written to the Rebbe merited a response, along with occurrence but a scene that instructions for this special work accompanied the soldiers that demanded great mesirus throughout the war, day in and nefesh. day out, for three years. R’ Shmarya Harel the There was no precedent for mythological campaign leader of this as the IDF allowed the the Mobile Tanks, who oversaw Chabad Tankistin to enter the the mitzva tanks in Lebanon, field of fire and to move around relates two instructions that they the battlefield. The army’s high received from the Rebbe at the command realized that Chabad’s beginning of the war: work is extremely important. “The first instruction was that Rabbi Dovid Nachshon, director everything we did had to be of the Chabad Mobile Mitzva approved by the army. The Rebbe Tanks relates: also said we should not enter “In hindsight, I find it hard to dangerous areas.” understand why the IDF allowed Indeed, the Tankistin worked us to enter the war zone. Upon in cooperation with the army, and request of the Chief of Staff, were highly successful. Their Refoel (Raful) Eitan a”h, towards work was done around the clock: the end of the war a process was Mivtza T’fillin throughout the set into motion to establish a day, registering people for a letter special unit of the army in a special seifer Torah that was specifically for Chabad Tankists. being written for IDF soldiers, It didn’t end up happening, and bringing simcha and though, because the war ended encouragement to the soldiers. Mivtzaim in Lebanon and there was no longer any need Aside from this, there were

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  army ordered a truck that carried NORTHERN COMMAND THANKS THE TANKISTIN tanks from the army transport The following is a free translation from a letter written on the unit and it took the Mitzva Tank stationery of the Commander of the IDF Northern Command, and its crew from Beirut to Brigadier General Amos Katz, and signed by him: Chaifa! This shows how greatly “In the name of the Northern Command, I would like to express my the army and its commanders appreciation for your work during the esteemed Chabad and its work. ‘Shalom LaGalil’ campaign. I have no doubt that the work of the ‘Mivtzaim FROM THREE TO SEVEN Tank’ amongst the soldiers of the IDF, When the war broke out, there contributed to the moral of the soldiers were three tanks, which operated and commanders, and as a result under Shmarya Harel. In the contributed greatly to the success of meantime, Dovid Nachshon went the campaign. to the U.S. in order to fundraise. “May you enjoy ever greater A few weeks later, he returned continued success in your blessed with money for their work and mission.” with Tank Number Four. (Signed): Amos Katz Throughout the war, Nachshon divided his time between working in Lebanon and fundraising in the seasonal activities that included costs of the war in Lebanon, U.S. and Europe. The sight of the Sukkos, Chanuka, Purim, etc. morale was terrible. The soldiers Lubavitch tanks alongside tanks There were no set work hours. were mired in war and they began of steel opened people’s hearts They began in the morning, to hear that some people were and wallets and the number of continued during the day, and opposed to the war. tanks increased to seven! sometimes worked into the wee Demonstrations against the war hours of the night. At night is began and this weakened many when people consulted with the soldiers. “CONQUERING” Chabadniks, when they gave The army commanders who THE AIRPORT shiurim, farbrenged, and had knew that Chabad brings along a The day the Beirut heart-to-heart talks with people. positive spirit, supported their international airport was “It’s difficult to convey the work as R’ Nachshon relates: enthusiasm people had when they “Every evening we had a came to enlist in this mivtza,” special briefing at the platoon THE JORDANIANS says R’ Nachshon. “We had command post. During the KNOW ABOUT regular drivers and activists and briefing, the senior commanders THE TANKS they were joined by others who would put together a special became regulars throughout the travel plan to guide our work for A few years after the war war. In addition, we had people the next day. was over in Lebanon, two who did short stints, for a week “We got a lot of help from the bachurim wanted to print the or two or more. army. The Mivtzaim Tank is a big Tanya in Jordan. In order to get “Above all else, I’m amazed by vehicle and it uses a lot of gas. the required papers they went those Chassidim who came from During the war, the army to the government office, where outside the country especially to supplied us with all our enormous they met an important minister help out the Tankists. These fuel needs as well as food.” in the Jordanian government. included R’ Leibel Mochkin, R’ The Lubavitchers also received “You are against the Arabs,” Itche Springer, and R’ Chaim mechanical help. When a tank barked the minister, but the Boruch Halberstam.” experienced mechanical problems, bachurim said they were not at the repairs were made in Lebanon all involved in politics. In by army personnel. In one response, the minister took out THE ARMY a picture of a Mitzva Tank PROVIDED THE GAS instance, a technical problem was discovered in Tank #2 and it had working alongside IDF forces In addition to the physical to be repaired back in Israel. The in Lebanon!

 +BK>@EBJ S #'1 +-1&' !& conquered found the mivtzaim tank rolling down the runways along with the invading forces. The IDF’s tanks operated on the northern runway. The guns of the steel monsters fired upon the nearby hills and the machine guns chattered nonstop. Parallel to their movement, a mitzva tank traveled along the southern runway. Those on the tank did not hide their fear. This time it was for real. Even the soldiers and officers asked them to take shelter. Their recommendation had a sound basis. A bloody battle was taking place there at the airport. Shells landed nearby with a terrible A l’chaim with soldiers screech, bullets and mortar shells whistled right by your ears, and wild over our being there. Yes, focal point for the soldiers. planes were taking off towards there were some who said we their targets. were crazy. They asked why we R’ Shmarya Harel: MINES AROUND were in such a dangerous place, THE TANK We traveled towards the but they said this out of genuine terminal and there, among the concern. The soldiers surrounded Despite the preplanning and planes, tanks and armored troop us with love and great joy. Dozens care, in war you need miracles carriers, we found a good position of arms were extended to put on and these were not lacking. The and began our “attack” on the t’fillin. We remained at the airport Tankistin who worked for three soldiers. I must say that all the until morning and throughout that years in the shadow of war, saw soldiers and commanders went time, we didn’t stop serving as a terrible scenes of dead and wounded, and they experienced numerous miracles. The following are three stories of miracles that the Tankists experienced during the war in Lebanon: Manchuria is a Lebanese town somewhere along the way that leads from the coastal mountains to the coastal valleys. The mitzva tanks made a stop in Manchuria. One evening, Rabbi Yisroel Halperin, shliach in Hertzeliya, held a farbrengen there with the regular staff from the tank. The farbrengen, which was held for the members of the heavy artillery unit, lasted late into the night. At the end of the farbrengen, the tank was parked for the night. The night was quiet and after everybody woke up four hours Putting t’fillin on with soldiers in Lebanon

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  later, a discussion ensued as to “When the soldier saw the minutes of driving on the road, whether to travel to the next camp vehicle with the strange lights Eden motioned that he was and organize a minyan there or to rapidly approaching, he got cold turning at the next junction and wait until a minyan was organized feet and fled within the outpost driving north. Shmarya told the where they were. The Tankists and that’s how we were saved bachur an alternate route and deliberated and finally decided to from being fired on by one of our Shmuel, the driver, agreed. stay put. own.” The vehicles slowed down and Rabbi Halperin, who had Motty waved goodbye to them. walked around the tank to stretch RPG AIMED Shmuel stopped the mivtza tank his legs, noticed a suspicious AT THE TANK and began to drive in reverse. A object under the wheel of the second later a red and deadly tank. He took another look and Another amazing miracle took streak zipped by with a terrible was shaken by what he saw. It place later on. This was when whistling sound. The explosion on was a powerful mine! army forces invaded the port of the edge of the road said it all. The military sappers worked Beirut to the west of the city. A The R.P.G. missile had missed the long and hard to dismantle the roadway leads from the port and tank driving in reverse and Eden’s Russian mine. They noticed other it was considered extremely car by just a second. mines scattered around. Nobody dangerous. There were nests of Eden stepped on the gas and could understand how the tank terrorists nearby who shot to travel north as fast as he could. had managed to enter the missiles and mortars at vehicles Shmarya, who had relieved minefield and pass all the mines. that passed along the road. Shmuel at the wheel, also floored All acknowledged that it was only Regardless, the Tankists who it and sped out of the area before because of the Rebbe that they waited in the port had to drive via the terrorists could load another had decided to stay there and that road. Television reporter missile. Shmarya, recalling that daven rather than leave. Had they Motty Eden (today director of day, said he doesn’t remember not done so, who knows what Israeli TV) accompanied them another trip that was as fast as would have happened. and he later reported extensively that one, in his life. R’ Harel describes a horrifying on Chabad’s work in the area. Shmuel Ezagui was the driver of incident in which a soldier IN THE MEDIA mistakenly shot at their Mitzva the tank. He had an uneasy The work of the mitzva tanks Tank: feeling, which he couldn’t quite in Lebanon was covered “We often encountered explain. extensively by the media. One shooting by all types of weapons, Shmarya Harel did not try to journalist declared that the but being hit by our own side is hide his apprehension over the Chabadnikim are the IDF’s another story entirely. It was possible outcome of the trip. mascot. Chanuka when we traveled in the Motty Eden’s car went first and R’ Nachshon remembers those Lebanon Valley towards a distant the tank followed. After a few outpost. As we approached it, the watchman noticed us from a distance. He saw the lights of the THE REBBE WATCHED A MOVIE menora on the roof and heard the ABOUT THE MITZVA TANKS music, but due to the distance he At the end of the war, a film was made, with the Rebbe’s couldn’t make it out. encouragement, about the work of the Mitzva Tanks in Lebanon. “The watchman, who was Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka asked to see the footage several times and armed with an automatic Mag even showed it to some women when they visited. One of the times, as rifle, didn’t think twice but shot a she watched it, the Rebbe came home. long stream of bullets at us. Two R’ Chesed Halberstam who was there at the time, relates that the bullets penetrated the tank. One Rebbetzin asked the Rebbe whether he wanted to watch it and the bullet hit the ceiling and the other Rebbe said he did. As the Rebbe watched, he smiled a few times, hit near the motor. The shooting especially when the movie explained that the Rebbe is the Chief of stopped and we drove quickly Staff. towards the outpost until the When the movie was over, the Rebbe asked whether it would be soldiers identified us. difficult to show the movie again and the Rebbe watched a second time!

 +BK>@EBJ S #'1 +-1&' !& and I felt great admiration for them in that they come to the frontlines, voluntarily, endangering their lives. The soldiers were all happy to see them. “I remember an incident when one of the managers at the radio came to us at the front. A Chabadnik asked him to put on t’fillin but he responded disparagingly, ‘Leave me alone, don’t bother me with these stupidities.’ “A few minutes later there was a major Katyusha attack. It was really frightening. I myself went through all of Israel’s wars. I lived in Yerushalayim and we heard the R’ Dovid Nachshon and R’ Shmarya Harel with the Chief of Staff shelling during the War of during Peace in Galilee, Rafael Eitan a”h Independence and the Six Day War, but what went on in Rabbi Halperin, who had walked Lebanon was terrible. Many missiles landed from all directions around the tank to stretch his legs, and we lay on the ground and prayed for a miracle. noticed a suspicious object under the “The radio manager lay on the wheel of the tank. He took another look ground with his hands on his head, waiting for a break, looking and was shaken by what he saw. It was terrified. When the attack ended, he got up and went right over the a powerful mine! Chabadnikim and said, ‘Where are the t’fillin?’ “During the war, Avrohom days with nostalgia. “Berke Wolf country heard about our work. Doron, an editor for the religion would send us the articles about “The media knew that the department of Reshet Beit, spoke our work. Many of them safest place to be was a Mitzva with me. He asked me to send expressed amazement over the Tank. Whenever shelling began, him a segment about Chabad’s courage and determination of the they all ran straight to one of our work there. I told him, ‘How can Tankists. Famous journalists tanks.” I send tape with my voice, when would join us for a few days and you need to pass a licensing afterwards they reported about THEY ALL REJOICED committee in order to be a our work in amazement. Motty Mr. Shabtai Bibi, who runs broadcaster.’ He insisted and Eden, a television reporter in Radio Moreshet, has presented said, ‘Send it and it will be all those days, would report from countless radio programs, but the right.’ That’s how my first Lebanon about our work once first radio interview that he did in broadcast came to be.’” every few days. I also remember his life was with the Tankistim The following is the text of the Chaim Zisovitz (of Kol Yisroel) during Peace in Galilee. He did so special broadcast: and Tom Segev (HaAretz). even though he was a radio “Chabad 2 here. Chabad 2 “At a certain point I had a technician up until then: here. We are on the Damascus- regular spot from where I “During the war I got to see Beirut road. We are approaching a broadcasted from Beirut on the the work Chabad does from up blockade and are preparing to go Chatzi HaYom program of Kol close. They came in their tanks back. Yisroel, and this is how the entire

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  (Shabtai Bibi): “We are on the Beirut-Damascus road. I found LIGHT AND JOY FOR THE SOLDIERS myself in the midst of heavy AND THEIR FAMILIES artillery shelling as the terrorists Aside from mivtzaim, the Tankists also brought light and joy to the from western Beirut shelled our soldiers and their families by establishing phone connections between forces and showered heavy fire soldiers and their parents or their wives and children. In those days and Katyushas. Among the (before cell phones) connecting with the home front was complicated. military vehicles and the dusty The Chabad tanks came up with a creative solution. Through the tanks of our forces, I found a tank’s radio they were able to make contact with the tank’s base in colorful tank. This was a tank of Natzeret Ilit, where Tankists sat and dialed the numbers they were Chabad which, in the midst of the given, thus connecting the telephone and the radio transmitter. It was shelling, instilled bitachon in our thrilling when the soldiers were able to call home after months in a war forces.” zone. (Tankist): “My name is One day, the office called a family in Yerushalayim. The Yedidya. I am from Kfar Chabad. grandmother answered the phone and she didn’t understand who was I volunteered to come on this calling. She explained that she was home alone with the children and tank. You will surely want to that the parents were not home. know what a tank is and since Out in Lebanon, the worried Reservist captain said, “Ask her why when have we been on these she’s there and where my wife is.” The answer was, “She is at the tanks. The truth is that I am not a hospital and two hours ago she delivered a boy!” A bottle of mashke member of the armored corps. I was opened on the spot and everybody present said l’chaim with the am an engineer. Yet I am on a soldier. tank. This tank is a sort of mobile home equipped with all sorts of good things, like sifrei kodesh, tashmishei k’dusha, t’fillin, and Rabbi Dovid Nachshon, who army. We send the Rebbe a mezuzos. In the rear there is a brought these tanks to Israel and detailed weekly report about all special area for shiurim in the he is the one who initiates and our activities, as much as we can event that people want a funds all these wonderful projects. write. spontaneous class on Judaism. “We are volunteers, which “The main thing we say is that “We are well equipped on the keeps costs lower.” the reaction of the soldiers that tank and can live a long time on (Shabtai Bibi): “I see an office we meet is – why doesn’t the it. in your tank and you write Rebbe come here? But the Rebbe “It was the Rebbe who came reports. Can you explain this?” has his reasons and he knows up with the idea of calling it a (Yedidya): “Yes, the Rebbe is where he has to be, but we ask tank. The Rebbe said that in order the mastermind of this project and him – come here, bring Moshiach to conquer the desert, you need a he is the one who urges us to do and we won’t have to suffer from vehicle that can traverse a desert. these activities. Like the Chief of wars and tzaros anymore.” There are four tanks like this in Staff needs to know what is going Eretz Yisroel. Our base is in on in the army, the Rebbe needs Natzeret Ilit and our director is to know what is going on in his

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 +BK>@EBJ S #'1 +-1&' !& CB>QROB WE MEET AGAIN

By Shneur Zalman Levin Rabbi Reuven Galperin, a Chassid from Kiryat Malachi, and a Jew named Aharon Grossman met for the first time 40 years ago. They parted six years later and didn’t hear about one another for 20 years. In 5751 they met again and since then, they have kept in touch. * The story of two men and how their lives intertwined.

“It was the first religious wedding I had seen and had ever attended. They told me ahead of time that it was a big secret that I had to carefully keep. Someone pointed to a young man and whispered to me, “See that student over there? He studies mathematics and is outstanding in his studies. And you know what? He is religious.” “I noticed that every time the rabbi said religious things (referring to the Birkas HaMazon), the young man murmured it after him. I tried to approach him a few times but he kept his distance and acted coolly. I could sense his fear.”

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  Aharon Grossman, who related the above, lives in Petach Tikva though he used to live in Tashkent. He and Reuven Galperin met for the first time at that wedding. Reuven was completely unaware of the man who sat and observed him, amazed at his seriousness and wondering why he sat there and mumbled silently. A few years went by and they met again, this time as employer and employee. Aharon Grossman was Galperin’s boss and although Galperin did not remember Grossman, Grossman remembered Galperin. Grossman knew that talking about Judaism and religion could culminate in a jail sentence or hard labor, so he did not mention Aharon Grossman checking buildings after a controlled explosion the wedding they had both attended. to simulate an earthquake As for Galperin, he did all he could to keep his Judaism a secret. institute specializing in construction it was hit by an earthquake in 1972, They worked together for six research. In 1961 he went to a as a member of a delegation that years and for six years they shared a university in Moscow to work on his was sent to the scene of the tragedy. secret but never spoke about it until doctorate in engineering, completing He was also in Tajikistan, which the day they parted. For six years, it after three years. was struck by an earthquake, and in Galperin was moser nefesh to keep “In the former Soviet Union,” 1988 he was sent to Armenia to mitzvos under a veil of secrecy and said Grossman in Russian, which examine the damages sustained by the fear of those days, while Reuven Galperin translated into the area following an earthquake. Grossman, without Galperin’s Hebrew, “there are five large centers “My job was to find the faults in knowledge, helped him to the best of for construction research. Each one the construction – after the fact, of his ability. of them examines environmental Reuven Galperin and Aharon effects on buildings. Each area has Grossman met for the first time environmental problems unique to forty years ago. They parted six it. The centers are in Moscow, Kiev, years later and were not in touch for Leningrad, Novosibirsk, and twenty years. In 5751, when Eretz Tashkent. Yisroel was attacked by Scud “The Asian continent suffers missiles, they met again. Since then, from frequent earthquakes. The they keep in touch. It’s a bond of institute in Tashkent, located in the friendship, this time without secrets center of the continent, was chosen and subterfuge. They recently met to focus on the effect earthquakes again and shared their memories. have on building.” * * * When Aharon Grossman Aharon Grossman was born in successfully completed his studies, 1933 in Odessa. During World War he returned to Tashkent and got a II he fled Odessa with his mother job directing the research center and in 1943, after meeting up with there. Since the area had been hit an uncle, his mother’s brother, they with earthquakes, he was quite busy. settled in Tashkent in Kazakhstan. He conducted research following the Aharon completed his schooling severe earthquake in Tashkent in in Tashkent and then attended an 1966, and was sent to Algeria, when Reuven Galperin

 +BK>@EBJ S #'1 +-1&' !& course – in order to learn what to do holidays and we fasted on Yom lived all my life. Until age 11 I in future construction projects. As Kippur. On Yom Kippur, my mother stayed home and learned. Until this part of our work we would build a would go to shul and I, the oldest, age they somehow managed to keep wall, install measuring devices and would accompany her there and me out of public school, which was set up a controlled explosion, each back. I remember religious Jews who extremely problematic because of time at a different level of intensity. came to our house and collected Shabbos observance. At age 11 “Afterwards, we would examine money for tz’daka and for religious though, there were no more excuses the damage and the solidity of the causes. My mother always gave them and I began attending school. I wall. We then applied the results of what she could give.” graduated at 18 and attended school our research in massive construction Did being Jewish impede you in in the mathematics department at projects of hundreds of thousands of life? the university in Tashkent.” apartments in Middle Asia.” “Since we weren’t particularly Why did you pick mathematics? What did you know of religion religious, we had no cause to display “In those days, our choices were back then? our religious affiliation and our constrained by our desire to keep “I knew very little,” says being Jewish wasn’t obvious. We had mitzvos in secret. The main problem Grossman. “I learned one important a few incidents related to our being we had to contend with was thing at home and that was to Jewish, but nothing beyond that. Shabbos observance. We could respect religious people. My mother “Some of the countries within manage with kashrus, and could also always told us: Religious Jews are the Soviet Union were Moslem, manage to cover our heads. In men of truth and you have to respect including Uzbekistan. It was easier Tashkent, as opposed to other places them. So although we made jokes to be religious there. The Moslem in Russia, people went around with about rabbis and religious leaders, in majority also opposed the Bucharian hats. It had nothing to do moments of truth, especially during communist-atheist regime and they, with mitzva observance. So nobody sorrowful times, we knew to respect together with the Jews, worked suspected anything if they saw religion. against the decrees that affected the someone wearing one of these ^ “I also remember that when a observance of religious practices. Bucharian hats. ^ funeral took place, my mother would Galperin: My uncle, R’ Meir “I had three choices: physics, wake my brother and me up early – Tzinman a”h, sat in a Soviet jail for mathematics, and chemistry. With before the time we had to get up to many years for the crime of keeping physics and chemistry, the work is go to school – and send us to mitzvos. When he died, a minyan of done in a laboratory. You can’t work complete the minyan. people gathered in his home for a independently; you always have to be “At home, we remembered the year, three times a day, and said involved with assistants and other Kaddish. One of the gentile employees, which meant working on neighbors saw this and ran to the Shabbos without the possibility of head of the committee to tattle. exchanging time slots. He was a Moslem and when he “The only profession where I heard her report he made a motion could work on my own was across his neck and told her that if mathematics. Especially if you she repeated this story again, he picked research, the work is solitary, would kill her. you, the pencil, and the books. This * * * enabled a person to avoid R’ Reuven Galperin was born in desecrating the Shabbos. So I chose 1939 in Leningrad. this route, specifically the field of “My family is seventh generation computer programming. Chabad Chassidim. Many members “After five years of study, I of the family were put in jail and worked for three years at the tortured in KGB cellars for the computer center of the university in crime of keeping mitzvos and for Tashkent until I received an religious activity. invitation to work in a lab for “When I was two and a half, theoretical computing. I was sent to they took me from besieged the department that did research on Leningrad to Kashkiria and in 1944 the effect earthquakes have on buildings, which was run by Mr. Aharon Grossman I was taken to Tashkent, where I

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  Aharon Grossman.” man murmured it after him. I tried to put their hands in his plate and For Galperin, this was a first to approach him a few times, but he taste from it. Reuven didn’t feel encounter, but Grossman had kept his distance and acted coolly. I comfortable refusing and the others already met the Jewish religious could sense his fear.” had no problem taking from his student eight years earlier. Galperin does not remember plate since they were willing to share Grossman had noticed him, had Grossman from that wedding, but their food with him. They just didn’t been impressed, and he remembered the story fits. Fear of disclosing the notice that he never touched other him. truth that he was religiously people’s food. But I, who knew his “In Tashkent there was a observant was so strong that his background, knew that if they ate Chassidic Jew by the name of R’ coldness was part and parcel of his from his food, he would go hungry. Shmuel Baschinsky, who was manner. So I would yell at them not to touch nicknamed Shmuel Engineer. He * * * his food.” was one of the heads of the network Reuven Galperin began working Galperin: “My mother was a of underground shiurim for youth in the laboratory under Aharon great cook and when I got married, called Tiferes Bachurim,” said R’ Grossman. Eight men worked in the so was my wife. I would bring Reuven, explaining their one-sided lab, including five Jews. Galperin delicious food to work and encounter. was the only religious Jew and due everybody wanted to have some. I “This network was founded in to his fear of being found out, he noticed how Aharon always made order to save young Chassidic men carefully guarded his secret. sure to protect my food, but of from the communist party. In 1950, “It was the first time I met a course I never spoke to him about R’ Shmuel was arrested and religious Jew of this type,” says that. I acted as though nothing was sentenced to four years in jail. In Grossman. “Until then, I knew that going on.” Cheshvan 1958, R’ Shmuel’s religious Jews were elderly rabbis Another problem arose having to daughter got married. The wedding who dressed in black, people who do with the food. This was when the took place at home under a thick veil definitely did not work in colleagues decided to go out to eat of secrecy. Some friends, myself mathematics. Suddenly I had this together. included, were invited.” young man, a talented “I couldn’t be the only one who What R’ Reuven did not know mathematician, working for me, and didn’t go,” explains Reuven. “Any was that among the guests was the I found this very interesting. But my deviance from the norm stood out kalla’s teacher from the engineering attempts at befriending him were and was an invitation for people to school, Aharon Grossman. “They rebuffed. look at you askance. relied on him as someone “I even asked him once whether Grossman smiled and interjected, trustworthy, who could keep a he was religious and he said no. He “You always ordered the same thing: secret, and told him about the Jewish refused to admit that he knew vodka and honey cake. Always vodka wedding. Their trust was well- Yiddish or that he had even a and honey cake.” placed; nobody was put into jail minimal understanding of religion. I When Reuven got married, he following this wedding.” realized that he didn’t want to talk did not invite his colleagues to his Grossman: “It was the first about it and I kept my distance.” wedding, of course. A Jewish religious wedding I had seen. They Despite the distance he had to wedding was considered a crime. told me that it was top secret. It was keep, Grossman continued to keep Grossman realized that this was peculiar for me to see a wedding in an eye on the young, religious man another religious issue that couldn’t which the men and women sat and tried to help him. be spoken about and he kept his separately. They gave me a yarmulke “We had a custom to eat questions to himself. But when and sat me among the men. One of together. We would put our food in Reuven came back to work and his the guests pointed out Reuven the middle of the table and share it,” colleagues wanted to make him a Galperin and whispered to me, ‘See tells Grossman. “On most occasions party, he defended him. that student over there? He studies we collected money and bought food “I knew that he didn’t have much mathematics and is outstanding in together jointly. I knew that religious money,” says Grossman, “so I his studies. And you know what? He people were particular about eating quietly approached people and told is religious.’ certain food and I noticed that them that each should contribute a “I noticed that every time the Reuven brought his food from home. ruble or two and we would provide rabbi said religious things (referring “The problem was that people the refreshments. The point was not to the Birkas HaMazon), the young liked Reuven’s food. They all loved to make Galperin responsible for it.

 +BK>@EBJ S #'1 +-1&' !& We ended up collecting a nice amount and we arranged a party.” The most complicated problem was keeping Shabbos. Galperin, with no small amount of ingenuity, exploited the work system of that time to get out of working on Shabbos, week after week. “The lab under Grossman was the first to switch from its primitive means of calculating to using a computer. Although at that time computers were in their infancy, and a simple Tetris game today is faster than the computers of back then, still, 10,000 calculations a second is a lot more than one per minute on a calculator. “As the programmer of the lab I was responsible for work on the computer. Since there was only one computer in all of Tashkent, you had to reserve time in advance to work on it. This was very responsible work. An hour on the computer back then cost 100 rubles, which was a doctor’s monthly salary! The results had to justify the investment. “In order to arrange Shabbos off from work, I would arrange computer time three times a week on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday. It was my good fortune that other than a bill for the time spent on the computer, the lab did not receive a detailed list of dates and time that I worked. It was good enough for the people at the lab that I did satisfactory work. “So I did not show up to work in the lab on Shabbos and afterwards I would say that I had been working on the computer.” At this point, Galperin looked at Grossman, nodded, and said with a smile, “I apologize for thinking that I was fooling you regarding working on Shabbos.” Grossman smiled back. He wasn’t at all surprised by the story. He knew that Galperin was Shomer Shabbos and he had helped him by keeping quiet about it. “I had a problem on those weeks that there was no need for computer work. I had no choice and had to show up at work, seven kilometers away. Naturally, I walked the distance. I would go over to Grossman and say that I had to go to the library. Grossman would surprisingly give me the okay, time after time, and enable me to sit with a book in the library, preventing me from desecrating the Shabbos.” The two men nodded at one another again and burst into laughter. Galperin said that one time, he nearly “fell into the trap.” “One Shabbos, he asked me a question in mathematics. I used my head and gave him an answer without figuring it out on paper. The problem was that he needed to know how I solved it and I went through it with him without doing any writing.” Galperin also remembers one of the times men from

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  the lab, led by Grossman, were sent “The only one who agreed to Did you keep in touch with to pick cotton. give me a character reference despite Grossman? “Uzbekistan had a big cotton the refusals of the others, was As soon as I arrived in Eretz crop and since they need a lot of Aharon Grossman. He wanted to Yisroel, I traveled to New York to manpower, everybody, no matter write how devoted a worker I was the Rebbe. I sent a postcard from who he was, had to go and pick and to add that I had written two there to Grossman, wanting to show cotton. My luck, my group was sent articles in my area of expertise and them the big world. The postcard on Shabbos. I went over to Aharon that I was working on a doctorate. from New York caused Grossman to and said I didn’t feel well. With a “I explained that the report had assume I was living there which half-smile on his lips, he sent me to be pareve. If it said how stopped him from looking for me home to rest.” wonderful I was at my job and how when he arrived in Eretz Yisroel.” On the subject of close calls, much I knew, there was no way in Grossman and his family moved Grossman remembers one of the few the world that they would let me to Eretz Yisroel with the big wave of times that Galperin slipped and leave the country. “Don’t say immigration in 5750. Nearly a year forgot that supposedly he knew anything good or bad,” I directed passed until they met again. nothing about Judaism or religion. him. “On Chanuka 5751, I was “My aunt died. She had been a “I submitted the documents to invited to speak to Russian religious woman and so we wanted the KGB office and noted that I was immigrants,” recounts Galperin. the funeral and burial to be in unable to provide a report with all “After I finished my talk, someone accordance with Jewish custom. three signatures. The KGB called me came over to me and said, ‘I know When I returned to work, Reuven in and gave me a letter requiring me you.’ I looked at him and couldn’t came over to me and began to provide a character report. recognize him. It turned out the man questioning me about it. When I told “For four years in a row I had worked with me in the same him, he said to me in surprise, ‘Why presented a request to leave and was institute but he had worked in the didn’t you tell me about it? I could refused, each time because I didn’t planning department while I had have come and helped you?’ I have the necessary document. But worked in the research department. smiled to myself and thought how every year, Grossman persisted and For some reason he recognized me this was the first time that he forgot was unfazed by his colleagues’ despite the intervening years and to keep up the pretense. I did not refusals. He produced the certificate despite the beard that I had grown in point out his error, he didn’t notice, of the year before, signed it and gave the interim. and life went on as usual.” it to me. Maybe it would help that “I asked him whether anybody * * * year. Finally, on the fifth try I was else from the institute was in Eretz The Galperin family, like many given my exit visa.” Yisroel and he told me that Aharon other Jewish families, made Reuven Galperin went to work Grossman was here too. I took prodigious efforts to leave Russia. for the last time to say goodbye to Grossman’s number and called Here too, Aharon Grossman was his fellow workers and especially to him.” helpful in enabling them to leave the his boss of the previous six years. Before long, Aharon Grossman country. “When we parted he asked me spent a beautiful Shabbos with “In order to get an exit visa, I openly, and for the first time Reuven Galperin. Reuven’s daughter needed a character reference which whether I was a religious Jew. This describes their meeting: had to be signed by three people: the time, I answered in the affirmative. I “I was a little girl and it was an manager of the factory or concern, asked him how he knew and for the unforgettable Shabbos. It was in the the chairman of the communist first time he told me that he had middle of the Gulf War. I remember branch of the factory, and the union seen me at the wedding.” sitting together around the table, leader. The union leader was a The Galperin family arrived in listening to amazing stories about a woman who agreed to sign only if Eretz Yisroel Erev Tisha B’Av 1971 period of time we were unfamiliar the other two signed. The and settled in Nachalat Har Chabad. with, as the sirens interrupted and communist told me he wouldn’t sign “From the moment I boarded the we went to the sealed room. We for any money in the world. The plane, I no longer hid my religious were all very excited.” Uzbeki manager wasn’t there and identity.” Galperin continued, “That year, I his replacement was a Jew. This Jew Upon his arrival in Eretz Yisroel, was invited by the shliach in Sderot, quietly told me that since he was a Reuven studied at the Weitzman Rabbi Pizem, to run a public seider Jew he couldn’t sign my character Institute and then was employed as a for new immigrants. I invited report. mathematician by the government. Grossman and his family because

 +BK>@EBJ S #'1 +-1&' !& lobby for this among Knesset members. They supported us, led by the Infrastructure Minister of that time, Ariel Sharon. “We got a budget of a million shekels and began to examine buildings in Eretz Yisroel and to come up with solutions. I put out three books on the subject, but when the budget was used up, the project ended.” Today, Grossman continues, without a budget, to survey buildings in the city he lives in, Petach Tikva. He has done extensive research on the old buildings and has submitted exceedingly worrisome reports to the municipality. “They told me that the situation is grave but at this point, Reminiscing together they don’t have the money to do anything about it.” the son lived there. Thanks to him, it earthquakes. Reuven Galperin is a well-known all went very well.” This occurred after an Chassidic figure in Nachalat Har Grossman adjusted to life in earthquake that took place in Elul Chabad. He fills his days with Eretz Yisroel and went to work on 5759 in Turkey. News of the shiurim and doing things for others. construction sites as a supervisor. enormous damage that could take He also does mivtzaim to bring Within a short time, he found place to buildings after an merit to others. himself back in the same job he had earthquake began to penetrate in A half a year ago, the Grossman done back in the Soviet Union. He Eretz Yisroel too. family moved to a new home and was called down to measure the “I got together a group of they invited Galperin to put up new ability of new buildings to withstand Russian scientists and we began to mezuzos. No secrets anymore.

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