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MESIRUS NEFESH BRINGS MOSHIACH 4 D’var Malchus

THE SMELL OF ELECTIONS AND THE 6 SOUND OF WITHDRAWALS Shleimus HaAretz | Sholom Ber Crombie

‘UNTIL THE FLAME GOES UP ON ITS 10 OWN’ Shlichus | Rabbi Yaakov Shmuelevitz

SIX DAYS – IT’S A RESTAURANT; 12 SHABBOS – IT’S A CHABAD HOUSE! Feature | Menachem Ziegelboim USA THE REBBE’S MIRACLE CHILD 744 Eastern Parkway Brooklyn, NY 11213-3409 18 Miracle Story | Nosson Avrohom Tel: (718) 778-8000 Fax: (718) 778-0800 [email protected] www.beismoshiach.org ‘IN THE END, YOU WILL BE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: 22 EXCEEDINGLY GREAT’ M.M. Hendel Chassid ENGLISH EDITOR: Boruch Merkur [email protected] DUST AND REWARD ASSISTANT EDITOR: 33 Thought | Rabbi Yosef Karasik Dr. Aryeh Gotfryd HEBREW EDITOR: Rabbi Sholom Yaakov Chazan [email protected] THE REWARD FOR DESERTION 36 Farbrengen | Rebbetzin Chaya Rochel Hendel Beis Moshiach (USPS 012-542) ISSN 1082- 0272 is published weekly, except Jewish holidays (only once in April and October) for $140.00 in the USA and in all other places for $150.00 per year (45 issues), by Beis WHAT WERE THE KGB LOOKING FOR Moshiach, 744 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, 38 IN MY WORKSHOP? NY 11213-3409. Periodicals postage paid at Brooklyn, NY and additional offices. Memoirs | R’ Hillel Zaltzman Postmaster: send address changes to Beis Moshiach 744 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11213-3409. Copyright 2008 by Beis Moshiach, Inc. Beis Moshiach is not responsible for the 670:668.qxd 10/11/2008 12:52 AM Page 4

d’var malchus MESIRUS NEFESH BRINGS MOSHIACH

Translated and adapted by Dovid Yisroel Ber Kaufmann

This itself requires explanation. If What is mesirus nefesh – self- Abraham had not reached the level of sacrifice? How does the Akeida, the mesirus nefesh – self-sacrifice – required by the Akeida, would that binding of Isaac, enable all Jews to mean his successful triumph over the first nine tests had no substance or have mesirus nefesh? As the Akeida value? How can the rabbis claim that an inability to overcome the final and revealed G-dliness, so the mesirus most difficult trial proves the effort expended and self-sacrifice exhibited nefesh of the Jewish people reveals in the first nine have neither effect Moshiach. nor endurance? Actually, we can ask an even stronger question: Why is the sacrifice of Isaac considered the Of the many events in the Torah that have a clear paradigm of self-sacrifice when we have the example of connection to Moshiach, surely the Akeida, the binding of many righteous and holy people throughout the ages who Isaac, is one of the most powerful. Indeed, the Sages willingly gave up their lives to sanctify the name of G-d? mention several aspects of the Akeida that foreshadow the Not only that, but G-d spoke to Abraham directly, an Redemption. For example, the Great Shofar that signals “advantage” that the martyrs throughout the ages did not the coming of Moshiach will be from the ram that was have. sacrificed in Isaac’s stead. Of course, there is a critical difference between The binding of Isaac was also the tenth and final test Abraham and all the righteous martyrs who followed him: of Abraham. Since these days are also the “final test” Abraham was the first person to have mesirus nefesh. He before the coming of Moshiach, the practical lessons of was the first Jew to accept upon himself the trials and the Akeida become even more important. Let’s look at hardships – whether physical, emotional or spiritual – one such lesson, concerning mesirus nefesh – self- necessary to sanctify G-d’s name. “All beginnings are sacrifice. According to the Rebbe, our generation will difficult.” Starting is the hardest part of any endeavor. greet Moshiach because this generation has exhibited the Being able to put aside one’s wants, needs, desires, greatest mesirus nefesh of any generation. That being the feelings – being able to give up one’s very self to bring G- case, it’s important to understand what defines true dliness into the world – this was impossible before mesirus nefesh, and how, through the Akeida, Abraham Abraham. By withstanding the test and fulfilling G-d’s bequeathed it to his descendants, the Jewish people. request to “koch na” – “take now Isaac,” Abraham When G-d commands Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, He opened the channel of mesirus nefesh, thereby drawing uses the unusual phrase, “Koch na,” “Take now.” The into this world the capacity for self-sacrifice for G- word “na” literally means a request, equivalent in many dliness. The righteous and the martyrs who followed ways to “please.” “Koch na” is a Divine imperative, but it Abraham’s footsteps had the comparatively easier task of is also an appeal, a solicitation. The Talmud reconciles the “simply” bringing the potential into the actual. apparent contradiction by explaining the intent of the This being the case, we have to look at the first test of phrase. G-d tells Abraham, in effect, that “you withstood Abraham as well. For then he also exhibited mesirus many trials; endure for Me this test so that they will not nefesh. In Ur Kasdim, the city of his birth, Abraham was say there was no reality in the former ones.” thrown into a fiery furnace for attempting to annihilate

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idolatry and publicize the existence of G-d. In fact, the outweighs life; but determining exactly what is worth first test seems to be the harder of the two, since at the more requires some analysis and reason. Akeida G-d spoke directly to Abraham and told him to A true mesirus nefesh occurs without any calculation. sacrifice Isaac, while Abraham had received no such One’s self, the very being and essence, is dedicated to G- Divine imperative at Ur Kasdim. In Ur Kasdim, Abraham d, without any prior evaluation or sudden inspiration. The had come to the realization of G-d’s existence on his own; only consideration, the only thought, is what does G-d he had become aware of G-d through reason. Only later want and demand of me at this moment. did he have a direct experience of G-d, when the Almighty In this way, the Akeida was the first instance of true told him to leave his home and go to the land of Israel. mesirus nefesh. Only Abraham and Isaac were involved. Why, then, is there an emphasis on The sacrifice and test involved no the self-sacrifice at the time of the public declaration of G-d’s rule or Akeida – so much so that without it, open demonstration of G-d’s everything Abraham endured Just as Abraham presence. G-d’s request and desire previously would not be real? reached a level had no logical purpose; indeed, in The answer lies in the uniqueness many ways it contradicted common of mesirus nefesh, simply defined as where the sum sense and reason, apparently nullification of one’s ego and one’s negating Abraham’s life mission. By existence. One’s actions, one’s very total of his “passing the test,” so to speak, being is directed not toward self- Abraham nullified his self-awareness gratification or self-satisfaction, but existence was and ego. All that existed was G-d’s toward fulfilling the Divine directive. Will. However, human beings are created awareness of What is the practical effect and such that they inherently possess an G-dliness and lesson for our times? Since Abraham ego and sense of their own existence. “opened the channel,” every Jew is Even generous actions, altruistic fulfillment of G-d’s capable of mesirus nefesh. (Indeed, as deeds, Acts of Loving-kindness or the Rebbe has remarked, our dedication need to be justified. There Will, so too, every generation has seen the greatest must be a reason, even if that reason examples of it.) Every Jew can is no more than the feeling of having Jew is capable of conquer his inclinations, nullify his done what’s right, good or noble. desires and dedicate himself or True mesirus nefesh cannot be this level of self- herself to fulfilling G-d’s Will. Every attained on one’s own. Hence the sacrifice. This is Jew can reach the stage and level of need for Abraham to “open the “knowing G-d” – not on an channel” and bring real self-sacrifice the “Moshiach” intellectual or rational basis, but as an into the world. overwhelming experience, as the Not every “self-sacrifice” is a true level of existence. prophet says, “the whole world will be mesirus nefesh, a nullification of one’s filled with knowledge of G-d, as the ego, of one’s self-importance, of waters cover the ocean bed.” Just as one’s very sense of being. There is a level of self-sacrifice Abraham reached a level where the sum total of his available to anyone, regardless of who they are. One can existence was awareness of G-dliness and fulfillment of calculate, as it were, the result of the sacrifice and come G-d’s Will, so too, every Jew is capable of this level of self- to the logical conclusion that one benefits more, at least sacrifice. And this is the “Moshiach” level of existence. spiritually, by sacrificing one’s life. This rational approach And just as Abraham gave a retroactive reality to his to self-sacrifice, this sense that there is at least some previous tests through his self-sacrifice at the Akeida, so compensation, is expressed by the phrase, “without x, life we, by following in Abraham’s path, can reveal the reality is not worth living.” X in this case may be anything which of Moshiach. (Based on Likkutei Sichos 20, pp. 73-78) www.MoshiachForKids.com Check it out!! Educational and Fun!!

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shleimus ha’aretz CROSSROADS: THE SMELL OF ELECTIONS AND THE SOUND OF WITHDRAWALS

By Sholom Ber Crombie Translated By Michoel Leib Dobry

OLMERT GIVES, thus the current political campaign his interview, with his proclamation THE ARABS REFUSE provides nothing new. However, about “withdrawal” from the all the despite this fact, it appears that territories echoing throughout the Elections again. That familiar there’s something else in the air. world, the Palestinian side smell of campaign workers This time, it’s really gone too far. In announced that they were not giving plastering the city squares with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, the in on the refugee problem, and thus colorful posters has returned to us citizenry of Eretz Yisroel sees all the are not taken in by what Olmert again. Just two and a half years have traits of Israeli politics. The said… This is not the first time that passed since Israel’s citizens last overwhelming disgust leads to utter we bear witness to how G-d hardens went to the polls, and here again contempt within the general public the hearts of the Arabs, as the Rebbe they have been called upon to take for Olmert and his cohorts, leading touched upon in a sicha from the part in the elections festival. So it everyone to wait with longing eyes first day of Rosh Chodesh Iyar goes in a country that has an for Olmert to go home and for 5741: “In the past, G-d showed us a obsession with finishing off its someone else to take his place. Even miracle by having the non-Jews leaders and then replacing them the leftist journalists chuckled after refuse [Israel’s concessions] from afterwards. We have already gotten Olmert recently gave a holiday the start, hoping that [the used to changing governments in interview and announced that we government] would learn from this Eretz Yisroel, one after another – have to withdraw from the entire how to behave. But this apparently Labor, Likud, back to Labor, and West Bank and East Jerusalem, didn’t help any, and they gave away then again ch”v. believing that such a dramatic three-quarters of the territories, and Every time the star of another announcement will make him smell they wanted to give away even more leader rises, he gets off the stage and like a rose as Sharon did in the face r”l – until G-d (in whose hand is leaves the scene for another of all the criminal investigations. ‘the heart of kings and ministers’) performer. Each one, in turn, However, what helped Sharon will showed something that no one ever departs from the political playing not help Olmert, who has already imagined: The opposing side doesn’t field after the voting public has missed the boat and has been want to receive more, because they vomited him out – Shimon Peres compelled to leave office in disgrace, want to have it all.” losing to Netanyahu, Netanyahu with no one to defend him. losing to Barak, Barak to Sharon – Immediately after Olmert gave

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LIVNI’S YERUSHALMI the Arabs are also talking about that] they will wait and see that PERFORMANCE parts of the Old City of maybe after a week, [the other side] Yerushalayim and the Temple will be in a better mood… [and if Kadima Party chairman Ms. Mount. not, the Israelis] will give in on Tzippi Livni wants with all her They were once afraid to talk something but they still won’t do strength to bring about the about the Old City of Yerushalayim. anything [assertive]. As a result, revolution that Olmert failed to This was something totally outside there will be armed terrorists in Old deliver and to establish Israel’s of the realm of diplomatic Yerushalayim, Chevron, Sh’chem, future borders. Livni’s strategy is negotiations. Yet, the Rebbe had Ramallah – everywhere r”l! based upon the assumption that the already foreseen many years ago Today, when this prophecy is Israeli public will give her the what was bound to happen in the being realized, the leftist politicians mandate if she keeps her hands Old City of Yerushalayim if we tell us, “Even Yerushalayim is clean, so she can then run with the didn’t harness the appetite of the turning into a nest of terror cells, so diplomatic process towards a terrorists. let’s give it up.” permanent agreement with the The most worrisome thing about terrorist organizations. She longs to Tzippi Livni is the fact that, unlike be written in the annals of history as Livni’s intentions most Israeli politicians, she presents the one who established the borders an agenda. While Barak and for the division of Eretz Yisroel, should be a source Netanyahu stand mumbling on the ch”v, and the one who brought about side, Livni speaks about a clear plan the transfer of the Arab of concern to of action: First of all, a neighborhoods of Yerushalayim into comprehensive agreement with the the hands of the Palestinians. anyone for whom Palestinians and the outlined Livni’s intentions should be a implementation of the “Road Map”, source of concern to anyone for the security of the followed by direct talks with Syria whom the security of the Jewish Jewish People is about the Golan Heights. The People is important. Standing at her Palestinians adore Livni, and side are Ariel Sharon’s publicity important... Palestinian negotiating team head advisers from the “farm forum”, Abu Ala moved quickly to embrace who have now come back on the Israel’s electorate her for refusing to bend to the Shas scene and are working to crown Party’s demands to remove Livni as the next leader of the State will support Yerushalayim from the negotiation of Israel. They are certain that table. The Palestinians prefer to Israel’s electorate will support Livni’s plans, just conduct discussions on the Livni’s plans, just as it supported the as it supported the permanent settlement with Livni, uprooting of Gush Katif. They will rather than Netanyahu. Even Barak, stand by her side and do everything uprooting of Gush who failed to sign an agreement with to sell the idea to the general public, them at the second Camp David and we already know that the Katif. summit, is not as desirable to them national memory steers clear of as Livni. material that it wants to forget. The The Rebbe spoke on Rosh Even the Syrians won’t have a Israeli people forgot the one Chodesh Elul, 5738, about the big problem – after Assad thousand casualties suffered in the situation in Eretz Yisroel, and also participated in indirect talks with post-Oslo intifada and supported the addressed the issue of Yerushalayim: Israel via the Turks and agreed to Gush Katif expulsion, and similarly “Regarding the situation in Eretz speak about a peace agreement. The has quickly forgotten the backing the Yisroel, there are two possibilities: public is fearful of Syria, particularly expulsion provided to the terrorist One possibility is that they [the since Syria also stands constantly in organizations from Gaza. Israelis] tell the other side that they the background of the menace from Livni’s deception is so great that don’t want to relinquish any of Eretz Lebanon, which worries the citizens the publicity advisers on her Yisroel, but since he [the other side] of Eretz Yisroel today more than all diplomatic policies speak about the would be upset over this, they [the other security threats. This fact Arab neighborhoods of Yerushalayim Israelis] won’t do anything. [Or] causes Israeli politicians to stare as if they too are no longer under rather [than upset them, it is better with scheming eyes toward the our control, ignoring the fact that

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Golan Heights, as they know that a Likud could win up to forty Knesset also grows. He smiles to the rightists “peace” agreement with Syria will be seats. and invites the heads of the Yesha perceived by the public to be a The problem is that even “the Council to the hallways of the substantial achievement. While we new Netanyahu” that is being Knesset, but he also quietly tries to are still quite far from seeing a presented to the voting public – one enter the history books as the one Prime Minister of Israel shaking who has matured and has managed who achieved a peace agreement hands with a President of Syria with to learn how to function in pressure with the Palestinians. At every smiles and backslaps, politics is what situations – hasn’t learned anything. opportunity, he repeats his standard politics will be, and it is forbidden to He still cleaves to the concept of mantra: “They give, they get – they fall asleep at the watch, even for a negotiating with terrorist don’t give, they don’t get” – and moment. organizations, and only recently then later he’ll explain in his erudite stated proudly that during his manner how they really have given. NETANYAHU NONSENSE premiership, he tried to open a The right-wing parties still haven’t channel of discussion with the learned the lesson from what The recent polls, showing a sharp previous President of Syria, Hafez happened under Sharon’s reign. rise for Kadima under Livni’s el-Assad, father of the current They sat in the government together leadership, are not causing much president. In his speech in the with the Shinui Party, but after concern to Netanyahu and his pals. Knesset plenum at the start of the Sharon used them as a bridge to They are convinced that they will winter session a couple of weeks strengthen his coalition until he able to present in the upcoming ago, Netanyahu created a storm with presented his diplomatic plan, they election the failures of Kadima his dramatic announcement that he were thrown out like useless garbage leadership and the total inaction of would not put Yerushalayim on the and went to give speeches at anti- the Labor Party, and thus raise trading block. Meretz chairman government demonstrations at Kikar Netanyahu’s standing in the public Chaim Oron screamed at Netanyahu Tzion in Yerushalayim. Even today, opinion polls to what they were from the opposition benches like a to our great regret, it doesn’t appear during the Second Lebanon War, right-winger: “Cut the nonsense, that the right-wing parties have when indications were that the you also promised that you wouldn’t woken up from their delusion of withdraw from Sinai or from Gush “national leaders”. We still don’t Katif – those were empty hear a voice of protest from the right The Palestinians declarations.” Oron is right, and the with a call not to join a Netanyahu- one who said it even better was the led coalition government. adore Livni, and head of Palestinian negotiating team, Palestinian Abu Ala. He spoke with sheer WHO SHOULD WE FEAR? contempt for Netanyahu’s statement: THE HYPOCRITES! negotiating team “As a prime minister, he will talk differently than how he speaks when But Netanyahu can’t swim in the head Abu Ala he’s in the opposition.” political sea alone. After Livni failed While Netanyahu has matured, to form a government, he made a moved quickly to he also wants to place himself at the compact with Shas, and he’ll need center of the political map and them in any future coalition that he embrace her for ensure his hold on the country’s puts together. Thus, if Shas wants to refusing to bend to leadership for more than one term. make use of the right-wing image He has learned that as difficult as it that Eli Yishai worked so hard to the Shas Party’s is in Israel to be elected prime create even in the days of Gush minister, it is even more difficult Katif, they will be forced to serve as demands to afterwards to maintain power as Netanyahu’s watchdog, just as with one. He has long ceased waving the Olmert. One can only hope that they remove flag of “not one inch”. He’ll bribe will succeed more with Netanyahu the left-wingers with the sweetness than with Olmert, with whom they Yerushalayim from of tearing down settler outposts, and settled for false documents stating the negotiation we’ll see him again sitting at the that Yerushalayim is non-negotiable, negotiating table on Eretz Yisroel. whereas since the Annapolis table. With Netanyahu, the problem Conference, it is clear that an agreement on the division of

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Olmert did throughout last year, seven years, no more than 175 “Cut the nonsense, while even Shas sat quietly in the families moved there. They were government. The Rebbe had already stubborn about it and they broke you also promised said years ago to Rabbi Hillel down the doors – not him nor his Zeidman that “the fate of Old ‘idolizers’, but the young people – that you wouldn’t Yerushalayim is still placed in doubt, and nevertheless only 175 families and they’re looking for some method managed to break through over a withdraw from through which the ancient quarter period of seven years!” will remain Arab.” It stands to reason that the Sinai or from The Rebbe sharply referred to the rightist camp and the religious Gush Katif – those hypocrisy of the religious factions on parties will initially embrace various occasions. In a sicha from Netanyahu and give him a grace were empty Yud-Tes Kislev, 5739, the Rebbe period. However, the real question is spoke about the religious politicians what will happen on the day that declarations.” and said with great pain: “Who do Netanyahu turns to the path of we have to be afraid of? – The agreements and withdrawals. Will hypocrites! He boasted that the rightist and religious community Yerushalayim was planned behind Yerushalayim is the united be strong enough to wash their the scenes. Even Netanyahu, who Yerushalayim, ‘a city in which [all hands of him and oppose him, or signed on the campaign of “Peres Israel] is united together’, an will there be a re-occurrence of what will divide Yerushalayim”, can’t exemplary city for the entire world took place with Sharon, when the cover his checks. The Palestinians on how Jews and Gentiles can live in National Religious Party and the have announced that Yerushalayim peace, since it’s under [Israel’s] National Union failed to understand will be included in any future authority and government. He shows that he had changed his spots, agreement, and in order to make this an example of how there can be ‘co- coming out in opposition to him treif idea seem kosher, they will find existence’ between Jews and Arabs only when the engines of the some suitable language that will and he proudly declared this with all expulsion plan were already in enable the division of Yerushalayim the strength he has, despite the fact operation and well underway? to be included in the protocol, as that he knows that in all the six or

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shlichus

commit to wearing tzitzis all day.” From then on, Itzik has been wearing tzitzis. He plows his field, UNTIL THE drives his tractor, sometimes without wearing a kippa, but the tzitzis are there. Two years ago, Itzik participated in a Hachnasas Seifer Torah to R’ FLAME GOES Tal’s shul. Rabbi Ben-Tzion Grossman of Migdal HaEmek led the parade, and loudly announced various brachos and insights. At a certain point, R’ Grossman became UP ON ITS hoarse and then “Reb Itzik” took over and led the proceedings. Within half an hour they were at the nearby yishuv. They didn’t need to look for rabbanim as Reb Itzik OWN ran the show from beginning to end; a flame going up of its own accord.

By Rabbi Yaakov Shmuelevitz, Shliach, Beit Shaan A SHMITTA OBSERVING TRACTOR The Rebbe explains that “raising enormous job of plowing only on Itzik got a letter last year from up the lights” means to be mekarev weekdays. the Shmita committee with Jews so that they in turn are Itzik has warm feelings towards instructions and halachos for mekarev others. As Rashi says, Judaism and tradition but it doesn’t farmers. As soon as he became “Until the flame goes up of its own go beyond that. Just three years ago, aware that it was a Shmita year, he accord.” when R’ Tal was sick and immediately stopped working the In Chabad houses throughout the hospitalized, Itzik made an land. world we see Jews who just began appearance in shul. They were all Since Itzik was available, he was observing Torah and mitzvos already reciting chapters of T’hillim when invited to give lectures to Gerrer being mekarev others. they heard a loud cry. It was Itzik Chassidim and frum audiences in who loudly said, “Master of the Chaifa. In his talks he told how it ITZIK world, please heal our rav and I was possible to observe Shmita with Rabbi Menachem Tal, shliach in all the hiddurim. Itzik also visited Yishuv Ein Eilah on the Carmel preschools and told the children coast, has such a mekurav: The story is told about a Jew about Shmita and other mitzvos that A few years ago, a local Jew having yechidus who was so he knew. named Itzik became involved at the moved that he wanted to give Itzik also has the skills of a Chabad house. He was a farmer the Rebbe a gift, but he didn’t welder and locksmith, and when he who loved working the land. He know what kind of gift to give. first saw the large menoros at Chabad houses he created his own thought of doing something to mark The Rebbe said, “The present I huge menorah out of metal. He has the 10,000 days that Ron Arad was want is for you to influence a forklift truck with which he loaded in captivity, and decided to dedicate another Jew to put on t’fillin.” a few weeks to make 10,000 rows in the menorah on the cab of his his field. The man said that he himself tractor and during Chanuka he took He told R’ Tal about his decision. did not put on t’fillin. it to a different yishuv each night, R’ Tal told him to write to the Rebbe “I hope that after you influence based on information he got as to and ask for a bracha in the Igros another Jew to put on t’fillin, where people were congregating. Kodesh. They opened a volume and you too will start to put them Last Chanuka, one of the the letter said not to work on on,” said the Rebbe. mekuravim of the Chabad house got Shabbos. Itzik said he would do the married and his friends made a

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Sheva Brachos. What surprise did in Atlit. Itzik prepare for the occasion? One of the nearby yishuvim to From then on, That’s right, a 7 meter tall menorah, Atlit is a moshav (formerly a Itzik has been in honor of the chassan and kalla. kibbutz) called Nir Etzyon. R’ Itzik got some shirts from R’ Tal Akselrod had been giving a shiur wearing tzitzis. He with the Moshiach flag on them, there for years when he found out which he wears to work. When he that one of the members of the plows his field, next saw R’ Tal, he exclaimed, “You moshav had begun giving his own won’t believe what blessing the shiur in Tanya. drives his tractor, Moshiach shirt brings me. People The man had learned in Chabad see the shirt and immediately close in his youth and then he changed sometimes without deals with me!” direction and joined the religious wearing a kippa, Itzik used his connections with kibbutzim movement. He was giving farmers in the area and convinced a shiur to twenty members, each but the tzitzis are many of them not to work their week in someone else’s house. He fields during Shmita. He explained was teaching them what he has there. to them that it’s a mitzva in which learned in his youth – Lessons in the land rests and they too could rest Tanya. members of the kibbutz became a and learn and receive a stipend from baal t’shuva, learned a lot, and the Shmita committee. THE FLAME RETURNS became a Maggid Shiur in the On Itzik’s tractor last year there yeshiva in Kfar Chassidim. He lately At our Chabad house in Beit was a large sign which said, had feelings of longing for the Shaan there are minyanim for “Shomer Shmita.” kibbutz of his youth, Chassidishe davening every day. There are longings. people who come only on Shabbos, A TANYA SHIUR He thought to himself, “I give some who come three times a day, several shiurim a day, so why don’t I AT THE KIBBUTZ and a member of kibbutz Ein give a shiur at the kibbutz where I It sometimes happens that the Charod, which is near Beit Shaan, grew up?” flame disappears for a few years, who comes only on Rosh Chodesh And so, our Rosh Chodesh then comes back and burns of its for Shacharis. Chabadnik gets the people together own accord and ignites dozens of He also arranged a weekly shiur and the rav from Kfar Chassidim other flames. I heard a story like this at his kibbutz. Who gives the shiur? brings the s’farim, and every week from Rabbi Moshe Akselrod, shliach Thirty years ago, one of the about ten members learn Chassidus.

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feature SIX DAYS ITS A RESTAURANT; SHABBOS ITS A CHABAD HOUSE!

By Menachem Ziegelboim

Who provides wine in a desert? A restaurant or guest house is the best Who provides meat in a desert? place to be mekarev people. “When you Who provides bread in a desert?” One who saw the plight he was convey Jewish messages to someone on a in would bless and say, “Blessed is Keil Olam from whose food we full stomach, your work is already half have eaten.” (B’Reishis Raba ch: 33) way done.” Avrohom’s original idea has become standard practice, at least “And he planted an eshel in praise and bless the One who said among the Rebbe’s shluchim. Beer Sheva” – R’ Yehuda said, and the world came into being.” Chabad houses and outreach centers eshel is an orchard. Ask for what Avrohom would welcome the set aside large areas of their you would like: figs, grapes, passersby. When they ate and buildings for a restaurant and pomegranates. R’ Nechemia said, drank, he said to them: “Bless kitchen which is made use of by eshel is an inn. Ask for what you Him.” They said: “What blessing guests, tourists and businessmen would like: a loaf of bread, meat, should we make?” He said: “Say who are looking for a kosher place wine, eggs. blessed is Keil Olam from whom to eat. “And he called there in the we have eaten.” Actually, it’s not just about name of Hashem, Keil Olam” – If he accepted that and blessed, kashrus. It goes way beyond that. It Reish Lakish said, don’t read it as he would eat and drink and be on feels like home. The businessman “he called” but “and he made his way, but if not, he would say to who spends his day on meetings, far call.” We learn from this that him, “Give me what you owe.” He from his home and community, and Avrohom made Hashem’s name be would ask, “How much do I owe the tourists who are having a good called by all the passersby. How? you?” Avrohom would reply, “A time but still long for something After they ate and drank, they pitcher of wine – such and such an heimish, love the familiar, traditional wanted to bless him. He said to amount, a pound of meat – such atmosphere. Their longing is them: “Did you eat of my food? and such an amount, a loaf of intensified on Shabbasos and Yomim You ate of Keil Olam’s – thank and bread – such and such an amount. Tovim. In the past decade, providing

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meals has become part and parcel of something before they leave. There by the filling meal he serves. shluchim’s work. From their are also some people who feel like The peak of his activity takes perspective, it’s not just about old-timers. They are completely at places on Shabbos, when about 200 providing kosher food or helping home, know what’s going on, and Israelis join him on Friday night. Jews fill up with a kosher meal. They help us in our work (whether they Although the food is vegetarian, the know that a restaurant or guest realize it or not).” farbrengen that lasts until dawn is house is the best place to be mekarev This idea has caught on among “meaty.” Hearts open up and people. People open up. the shluchim in the Far East. “Far” neshamos awaken. “When you convey Jewish refers not only to their location, The work doubles and triples on messages to someone on a full which is far from Jewish centers, but Yomim Tovim. Hundreds of Israelis stomach, your work is already half also to being distant spiritually. A come to Pushkar from all over for way done,” said a shliach in the Far businessman, or a young tourist who t’fillos and holiday meals. Quite a East, who hosts about 2,000 guests just finished his army duty, can few Israelis amend their itinerary a year. show up at these places and quickly due to meeting with Shimi For example, every day, dozens feel comfortable. Goldstein. Their timetable and plans of backpackers and Israeli “The Jewish atmosphere affects change after they become aware that businessmen go to the Chabad them, whether directly or indirectly. there is a Toras ha’Chassidus, and a house in Poona. “Whoever visits us No doubt about it,” agree all the Rebbe. finds tea and food,” said shliach, shluchim. Rabbi Betzalel Kupchik. “Everyone, Rabbi Shimi Goldstein, shliach in THE REBBE CALLED from the shyest to the most Pushkar, India, is known by the THE RESTAURANT: outgoing, immediately feels at home. tourists in India as “Shimi Many ask to put on t’fillin. Some HaMachzir” (Shimi who makes ESHEL YISROEL have just arrived in India and want baalei t’shuva). Indeed, he has sent Apparently, the first restaurant to to put down their luggage until they numerous men back to Israel to open with this purpose in mind was find a guest house to sleep at. Some learn in yeshivos or ulpanot. His the restaurant in Milan, Italy, which of the tourists sit down to learn manner and message are augmented was opened by the shliach, Rabi

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Gershon Mendel Garelik. Garelik told him that it would be to allow this restaurant to close, and The restaurant was open for named for the Rebbe’s brother, he once said, “It is out of the years, but for various reasons, it Yisroel. question! It is Lubavitch of Tel Aviv!” closed in 5726 (1966). Since it had R’ Garelik, who did not know In the winter of 5752, when R’ been the only kosher restaurant in that the Rebbe was also on the line, Zushe passed by the Rebbe for the city, this created a furor. It had was surprised to hear the Rebbe’s “dollars,” the Rebbe said, “You have served not only the residents of voice. The Rebbe agreed to the name a restaurant there in Tel Aviv,” and Milan but also many tourists. and added, “It should be called with a smile he gave him an extra Thanks to this restaurant, many Eshel Yisroel.” dollar. people were prevented from eating The opening of the restaurant R’ Zushe had a routine medical non-kosher food. was good news for the Jews of visit, at the end of which the doctor When the Rebbe heard that the Milan, as well as the businessmen recommended he stop working in restaurant was closed, he was eager and tourists, and was very the restaurant for the sake of his to change this. He told R’ Shlomo successful, since it was the only health. He took her written advice Yosef Zippel a”h, one of the wealthy kosher restaurant in town. and sent it to the Rebbe. askanim in the community, to A resident of Milan told the The Rebbe’s response was: quickly see to it that it reopen. Mr. Rebbe in a yechidus that he visited “Based on this, you should take Zippel even traveled to the Rebbe, the restaurant in the afternoon and (hire) an assistant and continue. and when he had yechidus, the saw someone putting on t’fillin. As a This similar to Avrohom’s work – Rebbe spoke to him about the result of this conversation, the Rebbe Avrohom was one. I will mention it necessity of reopening the told R’ Garelik, “I had a Jew here at the gravesite.” restaurant. who was impressed by the Naturally, after a decisive answer “I worked on all the restaurant, but he saw someone like this, R’ Zushe remained at the arrangements to open the davening Shacharis in the next restaurant. He stayed on in order to restaurant,” said R’ Garelik. “A place room. Although he thought the man continue in his role, doing was bought in the center of town was putting on Rabbeinu Tam Avrohom’s work. and the restaurant was built. R’ t’fillin, in the future, be careful since One day, a person walked in, and Avrohom Lipsker, who came during the restaurant is a public place.” after eating he said to R’ Zushe, “Do the Six Day War to work in chinuch, you know how I came to your took it upon himself – by instruction LIKE AVROHOM’S WORK restaurant?” He did not wait for a of the Rebbe – to run the response, just continued, “I was at Another restaurant that received restaurant.” the Lubavitcher Rebbe for yechidus the Rebbe’s blessing because of the The Rebbe even provided the and before I left he said to me that outreach work that was done name for the restaurant. In one of since I was traveling to Eretz Yisroel between the gefilte fish and the main the many conversations that R’ and would be in Tel Aviv, I would course is the Yeshurun restaurant in Garelik had with R’ Chadakov, the surely go to Rivkin’s restaurant and the heart of Tel Aviv, run by Rabbi Rebbe’s secretary, who urged him to eat there!” Zushe Rivkin. While secular life hurry up and open the restaurant, R’ When R’ Zushe was asked when carries on as usual out on the street, his work with children began, he inside you can hear Jewish children answered with a smile: “This reciting p’sukim. question was asked of me by a The signs on the restaurant, woman. When I told her that I R’ Garelik, who “Prepare for the coming of didn’t remember exactly, but it was Moshiach” and “Hinei, hinei did not know that probably twenty years ago, she did Moshiach ba,” immediately not let me continue but corrected announce what kind of people run the Rebbe was me and said, ‘I can tell you exactly it. when it was because 25 years ago I Over the years, the place enjoyed also on the line, would say the brachos with the ongoing support and kiruvim from children! My children, who are was surprised to the Rebbe. The Rebbe gave bottles already over 30, remember you and of mashke or wine for those who are affected till this day by what you hear the Rebbe’s frequented the restaurant, nonstop did then, 25 years ago!’” encouragement, and saw to it that it voice. It started with one little boy who remained open. The Rebbe refused

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Gam Gam – a restaurant on the water The manager of the restaurant in Milan, Rabbi Avrohom Lipsker, talking with patrons

learned in a nearby school. He passed by R’ Zushe’s “I noticed a look of longing in his eyes,” said R’ restaurant and felt thirsty. He decided to go inside and Zushe, “but little did I imagine the story behind this ask for a drink of water. That is when R’ Zushe had the man. He waited until the children stopped coming and idea, just like Avrohom. He took out a drink, poured a going and then he got up and said to me, ‘R’ Zushe, I cup for the boy and asked him to say a bracha. The boy must thank you for my being a Chabad Chassid today.’ said the bracha and drank, and R’ Zushe was happy – a “I didn’t know him and did not remember when I Jewish boy had said a bracha before drinking. had been mekarev him to Chabad. He didn’t give me The boy apparently told his friends about the nice time to think but explained, ‘Twenty years ago, I would Lubavitcher who gave him a drink and just asked him to come to you every day and you would instill faith in me. say a bracha first, because more and more thirsty As a result of everything I absorbed from you, I looked children began to show up. Within a few weeks, the into Judaism in general and Chassidus in particular and place was humming with children. R’ Zushe was happy I became a Chabad Chassid! This year I sent my son to about this opportunity that came his way, to implant a Chabad preschool. I came here and brought my wife in emuna in young children, and he started buying candies order for them to see where I got inspired.’” for them. He wasn’t the only one to be inspired. Dozens, if not One time, when he was at yechidus, R’ Zushe told hundreds, of children were treated kindly by R’ Zushe, the Rebbe about his private educational endeavor and he and their sparks were ignited. asked the Rebbe for a dollar for the children. “I told the Rebbe that I valued the Rebbe’s dollar at $30,000 and THE RESTAURANT so, if he would give me the dollar, all the candies I IN THE JEWISH GHETTO would buy would be in exchange for the Rebbe’s dollar and would surely have the segulos of the Rebbe’s dollar! In the Jewish neighborhood in Venice, which is called The Rebbe smiled and gave me two dollars, saying, the ghetto in Italian too, there used to be a beautiful “kiflaim l’tushiya” (double success).” Jewish community. Over the years, the community R’ Zushe’s brother once told the Rebbe that R’ Zushe dwindled until out of thousands of Jews, no more than was giving the children candy, and the Rebbe suggested 500 remained. However, 4-5 million tourists visit Venice that occasionally he give them other things so they could every year, with 300,000 Jews among them. recite other brachos, too. This is why R’ Zushe Rabbi Rachamim Benin is the shliach who began sometimes distributes cookies, so the children can say revitalizing Jewish life in the city. Among his projects is “mezonos.” Lately, he had been giving out bags of the kosher “Gam Gam” restaurant, which serves Bamba, “So that I relate to children of today,” he says thousands of tourists. The name “Gam Gam” is taken with a smile. from the song, “Gam, gam ki eilech b’gei tzalmaves” One day, a religious looking Jew came to the which is sung by both Jews and non-Jews throughout restaurant with his wife and children. It was the Italy. afternoon, and while they sat and ate the children started Every Erev Shabbos, the T’mimim who learn in coming in groups to say p’sukim. The man watched. Venice go all over the city, to the ghetto square, the shops, and the hotels. In addition to putting on t’fillin

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Just like with Avrohom Avinu, the guests always ask when they can pay for the meals and the answer they get is, “Have meals like these in your house, light Shabbos candles, invite guests – that

Urging people in the heart of Tel Aviv is the best payment.” to prepare for Moshiach

and giving out Neshek and the Besuras Ha’Geula, they “So can we come in and eat?” invite tourists for Shabbos at the restaurant. Luciana “Please do,” said R’ Benin, and he set a table for Sinigalia, the woman who manages the restaurant, put it them, apologizing that because of Shabbos the menu this way, “Six days – it’s a restaurant; Shabbos – it’s a was limited to fish with a side dish and chulent. After Chabad house!” they ate, they took out their wallets and asked him how The Shabbos meals at the restaurant are an much it cost. unforgettable experience for those who partake of them. “Are you crazy?” said R’ Benin. “It’s Shabbos today!” The very fact that there is a kosher restaurant in this Some years ago, an Israeli by the name of Moshe out-of-the way place amazes people. The meals are held made a living by organizing groups of tourists and in the company of the shluchim, the T’mimim and the arranging lodging and tours for them. When the yeshiva staff, and they always turn into farbrengens which opened, he would sometimes visit for half an hour, to arouse the neshama and uplift the participants. daven and learn with the bachurim. One time, during a They have a sort of ingathering of the exiles, with Shabbos meal at Gam Gam, he got up and announced Jews from Chile and Iraq sitting with Jews from Georgia, that he committed to learning in the yeshiva the next day America, and France, and the spirit of Shabbos envelops for six hours. And he did it. them all. Just like with Avrohom Avinu, the guests always ask EXPANDING OUTREACH when they can pay for the meals and the answer they get The phenomenon of hosting large numbers of people is, “Have meals like these in your house, light Shabbos in restaurants and the like has spread, especially in candles, invite guests – that is the best payment.” People tourist cities which are visited by tens of thousands of commit themselves, some to lighting candles, others to Jews a year. The goal is not only to feed people, but to putting on t’fillin or some other mitzva, as a way of provide a pleasant atmosphere so that the visitors will expressing their appreciation to the Rebbe and his want to linger and, in the course of their stay, be shluchim. exposed to Judaism. One Shabbos, R’ Benin sat in the restaurant after a “The role of a Chabad house in a location such as meal and waited for additional guests. An Israeli couple, ours,” said Rabbi Daniel Winderbaum, shliach in Cosul, seeing him, began to laugh, “A counterfeit dati – how India, “is more varied than in many other places in the come you’re not ashamed to open your restaurant on world. Aside from providing spiritual help, the Chabad Shabbos?” house is also a place where tourists can find an inviting R’ Benin replied, “Who said I’m religious?” home. For example, they can store their belongings in a “Oh we knew it. We immediately realized that your room set aside for that purpose, or they can send emails beard wasn’t real,” they said. to their families back home. Many tourists who ‘have “My beard is actually real, but so what?”

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lost themselves’ have been one was in really bad shape. He was R’ Shinhav says, “We are the permanently hosted at the Chabad talking gibberish and acting ones parents contact. Beyond the house, in rooms set aside for this violently. His health deteriorated and contact we have with the tourists, we purpose.” we called his family in Israel. Until are also in close touch with families In recent years, Eshel work has someone came to take him, we held of tourists back in Israel. They can expanded. R’ Dror Moshe Shaul a 24 hour watch for three days, get information from us about how rescued a tourist who was badly because we were afraid he would their child is doing, whether through injured while trekking through the hurt himself or others. When he was friends who passed through the Himalayas. R’ Nechemia Wilhelm of finally taken to Israel, he was Chabad house or other ways we Bangkok has helped during natural immediately hospitalized.” have of getting information. This disasters such as the tsunami and a “According to statistics from the work takes a lot of time, but it also recent plane crash in Thailand. Health Ministry, about 600 Israelis a is mekarev many people to the The Shliach, R’ Chezky Lifschitz year return from the Far East with Chabad house. Many times, we of Nepal, constantly rescues people psychiatric problems. Some of them managed to save tourists from life who were injured – whether by require prolonged hospitalization,” threatening situations.” accidents or through attacks by said R’ Boruch Shinhav, shliach in Sometimes he must deal with armed robbers or gangs – while Manali. So it’s not surprising that in those who did not survive. That hiking. Shluchim often visit prisons the jungle, the Chabad house of happened last year when a bus in to help Jewish inmates. Many times, Manali overturned. Most of the time, the Chabad house is the these buses have many Israelis on communications center, where board. By Divine Providence, there families can find out about their was only one Israeli couple on the children. Shluchim are the ones who bus, and they were killed. It took work with patients in hospitals and some time until they found the sometimes have to fly bodies back woman’s body. The Chabad house home. was in constant contact with the All these activities are an family until the couple was flown outgrowth of the Eshel – the place back to Israel. that provides every Jew with his material needs. It can be food and AND THEY CALLED IN drink, a place to sleep, or medical THE NAME OF HASHEM attention. Shluchim are called upon to deal From all this we can see that with tourists who have fallen into planting an Eshel in our modern drug addiction. They have been a times means providing material help great help as a liaison with the R’ Zushe working with children for all Jews. This help often brings families back in Israel. in his restaurant them to recognize the Creator that “One time, on one of the days of they did not learn about in the Chol HaMoed Sukkos, three Israelis Manali is the place worried parents Israeli public school system. came. Two were somewhat high and turn to. Y.S. MOVING

Professional Yossi Reasonable Tel: 718-467-0171 24 hour service Boxes available upon request. Cellular: 917-805-7757

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miracle story THE REBBES MIRACLE CHILD

By Nosson Avrohom

expectations and hopes were, that is When the top doctors couldn’t help us, how great our disappointment was. We couldn’t take it anymore. we concluded that we would never Every time we attended a simcha or experience the joy of parenthood... As family event we felt that people were pitying us. It happened more than soon as my friend heard my story, he once that someone gently asked us not to look at their baby because asked me, “What are you waiting for? they believed it would give the baby an ayin ha’ra. Those were gloomy There’s the Lubavitcher Rebbe!” days of ups and downs as we swung between hope and despair, between The sun was beating down on Then came the following optimism and black pessimism. me as I left the train station in monologue and fantastic story: Our leaving for New York was a northern Tel Aviv and entered an air “Although I don’t look like a way of escaping the sad social conditioned taxi, the first one I saw Chabad Chassid, you should know situation we were in. We were also at the entrance to the station. I told that I love the Lubavitcher Rebbe. hoping that changing locations the driver where I was going and we It’s only thanks to him that I keep might change our luck. hit the road. Shabbos despite all the enticements, We quickly acclimated to life in The driver, Yair Nachman put on t’fillin every day and attend New York. We lived in Brooklyn and HaKohen, turned out to be a shiurim. found many Israeli families with pleasant fellow, not too talkative, as In 1977, when I was 27 and whom we became friends. I began many taxi drivers are. Although he married for six years, my wife and I working as a taxi driver for one of wasn’t wearing a large kippa, he decided to leave the country and the Jewish companies in the seemed astonishingly knowledgeable move to New York. We did a lot of neighborhood. Later, I decided to about Judaism, and even about thinking and talking before making move up, and I bought a stall in a many concepts in Chabad this drastic move. It wasn’t a mere flea market in Brooklyn where I sold Chassidus. It certainly surprised me. whim that made us decide to leave clothes and textiles. Then, without any preamble, he our familiar surroundings which we At first, we tried our luck with asked me directly, “Tell me, you’re a loved so much, and move far away various American doctors, but to no Chabad Chassid, right?” where we knew no one. avail. When the top doctors couldn’t I said I was. I figured it wasn’t We had been married for six help us, we concluded that we hard to figure out because even years without children, and this is would never experience the joy of when I was on the annual hike of why we left. Throughout those years parenthood. Although outwardly I the Talmud Torah in the Chermon we had made countless visits to maintained a happy disposition, area, and all of us were bundled doctors and fertility specialists and inside I was eaten up by sorrow from head to toe in sweaters and our expenses grew and grew with over my fate. I didn’t share my story coats, people identified us as no results. The doctors took our with everyone, but there was a really Lubavitchers. Somehow, we are not money, made promises, and gave us nice Israeli who worked with me at too difficult to identify. hope but as high as our the flea market, and I opened up to

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him and shared my sorrow. insisted. well as the address where I could be As soon as he heard my story he I thought – what can the Rebbe reached. I gave $18 for tz’daka, and asked me, “What are you waiting do already? I went to the best the bachur assured me he would for? There’s the Lubavitcher doctors in Israel and the US and give it the secretaries. Rebbe!” I didn’t understand what he they all failed. What can the Rebbe From 770 I went home with wanted from me. After all, I was not do? Tell vinegar to burn? The only mixed emotions, torn between hope at all religious. thing he can do is show us empathy – which my friend constantly gave It took no less than four years and maybe feel compassion, and I me – and the weight of the many for him to convince me to go to the had enough of that. I simply did not disappointments I had accumulated Rebbe. He wasn’t religious either, believe that the Rebbe could help over the years. but he had great love for and faith where all the doctors had failed. Days and weeks went by. I went in the Rebbe. Whenever we spoke Finally, the day came when I felt back to work and forgot that I had on the topic he told me incredible that I had nothing to lose, and I written to the Rebbe. One evening, miracle stories that the Rebbe had went to 770. It was 5743 (1983), as I entered the house after an wrought with his brachos. I found it six years after we had come to the exhausting day, the phone was hard to believe. I thought he was US and twelve years since we had ringing and on the line was just getting carried away and was married. someone who introduced himself as exaggerating the Rebbe’s abilities. I I entered the big beis midrash. I the Rebbe’s secretary. always pushed him off, saying that hadn’t been to a shul on a weekday I was taken aback. He told me in the past, perhaps there were great in years. An Israeli bachur who was briefly, “The Rebbe said to tell you tzaddikim who could perform sitting there and learning saw me that you should start keeping miracles, but there was nobody like come in and he asked how he could Shabbos and put on t’fillin every that nowadays. be of help. I told him that I wanted morning, and the Rebbe gave I displayed great cynicism in the to write to the Rebbe and ask for a brachos for your request.” face of his enthusiasm but to his bracha. He guided me in how to do After this short conversation I credit, he did not give up. “The this. didn’t know what to do. In the end Rebbe is the only one who can help I wrote the letter and included I decided that if the Lubavitcher you, and he will help you,” he my name and my mother’s name, as Rebbe, such a great Jewish leader, a

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man who has dealings with knew and what areas I had told him that I was married for important politicians and top figures experience in. twelve years and still had no around the world, found the time to I told him honestly that I had children. All the pain that I had pay attention to my note, and he not a shred of experience. He was a managed to keep within me for asked me to put on t’fillin and keep nice guy and he said with a smile, years burst forth, as my hands kept Shabbos, believing it would help me “If you say you don’t know busy with my work. He sat in his – then, although I had doubts about anything – that is just what I need.” easy chair and listened. his abilities, I was ready to commit His problem was with those who Apparently I moved him because to it, at least for the near future. thought they knew … he said, after some thought, that he The amazing thing is that the I quickly learned on the job and worked at Maimonides hospital day that I got the phone call from did well with whatever he assigned where there was a top doctor in this the Rebbe’s secretary, I began to me. Within a few weeks he felt field. Unfortunately though, for experience problems with my stand comfortable and secure enough to some months already he had refused at the flea market. People stopped send me alone to various jobs. to take additional patients. showing up as frequently as they That is how I found myself one The world renowned doctor had used to. I finally decided to close day going to re-glaze the bathtub of retired and was to leave New York the business, realizing that things a Jewish doctor in Manhattan who for Boston in seven months, where were just going to go downhill. turned out to be an especially he was taking a high position on the The stand had been a big sympathetic guy. Every day, when medical school faculty of one of the obstacle in my decision not to work he came home from work at four famous universities. Very wealthy on Shabbos because most of the o’clock, we would schmooze. He people offered him a fortune just for money we earned was made on was able to dispel the stereotype I an appointment with him, but he Shabbos. I felt it was a sign, albeit a had of doctors as cold, callous wasn’t interested. He had decided small one, but one I couldn’t ignore. types. He was a warm, emotional to stop treating couples because he I made a firm decision not to work person with a tremendous love for wanted to teach the next generation on Shabbos. My friends did not Israel. of doctors. understand what had happened to We became friends. I did not feel This doctor friend of mine said me all of a sudden, but I preferred that he treated me as a worker, so I that although chances were slim, he not to tell them. allowed myself to open up to him. I would do what he could to convince I experienced amazing Divine him to take us. I thanked him Providence one day when I met a politely, although I did not delude Chabad Chassid who, when he If the Lubavitcher myself. heard what the Rebbe had told me, A few days later, as I was helped me buy a pair of t’fillin. Rebbe found the plastering a wall, I heard the doctor Since I had closed my stand, it was call out to me from where he was hard for me to pay the full price for time to pay parked. At first I was scared that we a pair of t’fillin , so he went with attention to my had gotten a big fine from the city me to the Judaica store in Crown for throwing garbage on the street Heights and was able to have the note, and he corner, and that the doctor was price substantially reduced for me. angry. But when he got out and I He also taught me the brachos I asked me to put saw his happy face, I realized it was needed to say and how to put the something else entirely. t’fillin on. From then on, I didn’t on t’fillin and He took me by the hand and miss a day. said, “Yair, listen. After a lot of Throughout that time I worked keep Shabbos, pressure, I convinced him to see hard to make a living at various then, although I you and got you an appointment for jobs. After two months I met an tomorrow. Go tell your wife. You Israeli, a Yemenite, who ran a had doubts about have an opportunity to meet with successful contracting company. I someone who might be the number knew it was a field that I enjoyed, his abilities, I was one man in the world in this field. although I hadn’t tried it. I asked Don’t miss this opportunity,” he him whether he needed workers and ready to commit begged me. he said he did. He asked me what I to it. Although despair over failed

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treatments was eating at me, I pregnant. I couldn’t possibly decided this was my last attempt. describe our feelings. I cried, I I couldn’t possibly Whatever would be, would be. laughed, I danced, I sat down, I did When I told my wife the news, it all at the same time. There are no describe our she was adamant. “Leave me words. alone,” she said. “It was apparently Only someone who experienced feelings. I cried, I decreed that I wouldn’t have it can understand how thrilled my laughed, I danced, children. I am not ready to go wife and I were that day and in the through this all over again.” It days that followed. Only those who I sat down, I did it wasn’t easy to persuade her. I experienced years of suffering as enlisted the last drops of faith and we did can understand the all at the same hope within me and finally got her magnitude of our joy. We to agree to come. She declared that immediately became optimistic, time. this was the last attempt she was believers, loving. My wife’s face, willing to make. which had looked so sad, became forget his eyes, his charm, his love I felt a swirl of emotions as we lit up with joy. for every Jew, and the fact that if entered the doctor’s office. We Within all this simcha I suddenly the Rebbe said something, it is brought him the thick file of all the remembered what had preceded it. I guaranteed to happen. treatments and scans that we had recalled the letter I had written to On the last leg of our stay in done over the years, both in Israel the Lubavitcher Rebbe, the phone New York, when my wife had and in New York. We were shocked call I had received from Rabbi already returned to Israel to prepare to overhear him mumbling, “Why Klein, and the mitzvos that I had for our coming, she called me did I agree to see them? What do I committed to observing. I thought, frantically and told me about an need this for?” yes, there are big tzaddikim in our acquaintance who had drowned and During the visit he repeatedly generation too, who are able to was in a coma. The doctors were said that he had no idea why he had perform miracles. close to giving up on him. She agreed to see us when he had Nine months went by and the asked me to run and ask the Rebbe turned away so many. He took our baby was born in an easy birth with for a bracha, which I did. A few file, tossed it in the garbage, and no complications. My wife decided days later he miraculously woke up, declared, “We will start from the to name him Netanel Tal, for we and today he is fine. beginning.” He was the kind of had gotten a gift from G-d. *** doctor whose next move you could From then on, I went to the Yair concluded our conversation never anticipate. It was the first in a Rebbe many times, whether for by saying that he felt that the Rebbe series of weekly visits. Every farbrengens or for dollars. took him under his wings. Every Thursday we went to his office. Whenever I or my friends had a time he went by the Rebbe, the On one of those visits he asked, question, we asked the Rebbe, and Rebbe always smiled. “You know that this costs money?” we saw many open miracles. “I feel as though the Rebbe is “Of course,” I responded. In 5751, before we returned to my father. If I have returned to my “What is your daily salary?” he Israel, we went for dollars in order ancestors’ ways – the famous Abu inquired. to receive the Rebbe’s bracha. When family of Tzfas were great kabbalists “Maybe fifty dollars,” I said. it was our turn, the Rebbe looked at for generations – it’s thanks to the He smiled and reminded me our son and smiled. When he Rebbe. again that the fact that he had wanted to give our son a dollar, our “My son learns in Breslov in accepted us as his patients was son was fooling around as children Yerushalayim, but he knows who irrational. Other people had offered do. I attempted to take the dollar gets the credit for his being here. him tens of thousands of dollars for for him but the Rebbe insisted on He learns a lot of Tanya, takes a an appointment, yet he had refused giving it to my son himself. great interest in Chabad Chassidus, to see them. He told me to pay what I tell this story to people who get and knows the chain of the Chabad I was able to pay. In the end, he got into my taxi, mainly if I’m taking leaders by heart. about $2000 for all the visits, which them on long trips. They don’t “Seven months ago he got is a joke for a doctor like him. understand who the Lubavitcher married, and I have a lot of nachas Two months had gone by when Rebbe really is. Whoever saw him from him.” my wife found out she was and received his bracha would not

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R’ SAADIA LIBEROV – KEY DATES IN THE END, He was born in 5660 (1900), and in 5671 (1911) began learning in yeshivas Tomchei T’mimim in Lubavitch, where he was considered among the ovdim and the lomdim. YOU WILL BE After a few years he was sent by the Rebbe Rashab to be his emissary in Russia. In the winter of 5681 (1920), within the year of mourning for the EXCEEDINGLY Rebbe Rashab, the Rebbe Rayatz became sick with typhus. As he was unable to lead the davening, he appointed R’ Saadia to daven and even to say Kaddish. In Shevat GREAT 5682 (1921), he was sent by the Rebbe Rayatz to bolster the yeshiva in Chernigov. After the Rebbe MH”M took the mantle of leadership, R’ Saadia was Rabbi Saadia Liberov distinguished sent by him to Morocco to spread the wellsprings of Torah and himself in all three major aspects of Chassidus there. After twelve years Chassidic life. He was a Chassid whose there, the Rebbe sent him to Antwerp. life was focused on learning and the His life was focused on avodas Hashem. At every opportunity he ways of Torah and Chassidus; he was a reviewed and explained the ideas of Chassidus. R’ Saadia showed how Tamim in serving his Maker just as he Chassidus illuminates everything and brings out the p’nimius and was when he learned in Tomchei neshama. His avoda was not T’mimim in Lubavitch; and several conspicuous, but always modest. times in his life he was a Shliach on CHASSIDIC LIFE shlichus for the Rebbe Rashab, Rebbe IN FRANCE In the winter of 1947 hundreds Rayatz, and Rebbe MH”M * His of Lubavitchers crossed the Russian border with falsified documents. R’ grandson, Rabbi Mordechai Tzvi Saadia was in the last group to leave Russia. After some wandering, he Liberov published a booklet with and others arrived in France, where chapters about his life. * The following they settled temporarily in refugee camps near Paris. is a compilation of highlights from the With the encouragement of the Rebbe Rayatz, R’ Saadia became the booklet about the missions R’ Saadia mashpia of the refugee Chassidim and gave shiurim in various carried out for the Rebbeim. communities. The Rebbe Rayatz wrote about this role, “May my

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friend succeed in his work to arouse but it wasn’t enough to support leave teaching. In my opinion, if it is our friends, Anash…to be them. R’ Saadia, who also suffered possible to change your teaching strengthened in the ways of from financial difficulties, began to schedule so that it enables you to Chassidus.” teach the Metzger children in the daven at length, it pays to do so, but The Rebbe MH”M also evenings. At a later point, in 1949, in any case, you should continue encouraged him in this role, and in he taught a small group of talmidim learning with talmidim. This is the one of his letters he signed as in yeshivas Tomchei T’mimim in connection with the ‘tree of life,’ in follows, “…who signs with regards Brunoy. the most literal sense, and since you to the entire group and with R’ Saadia, who took pleasure in have this privilege, do not think blessings for success in the holy a proper davening, was bothered by about looking for something else.” work of connecting Anash with their the fact that because of his leader, the Rebbe, my father-in-law, responsibilities to his pupils, he was ON SHLICHUS materially and spiritually, and I unable to daven at length. When he TO BELGIUM await good news.” R’ Saadia indeed asked the Rebbe about this, the continued in his avoda “to connect Rebbe answered on 19 Kislev 5712, After a year at the refugee camp, Jews to their leader.” “In response to your question that R’ Saadia was asked to travel and The refugees did not have it because of your learning with raise funds for the yeshiva in easy. They were given a small students you cannot daven slowly; France, which was in financial stipend from a fund to aid refugees, you ask my opinion whether to straits. Belgium was suggested as a

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blessing, materially and spiritually.” character traits in the garden of It was a cold day R’ Saadia was surprised by this Hashem, our lives, our brothers, special shlichus and he announced our flesh; may Hashem be with and R’ Saadia did to his family that he was setting out them and may they be blessed with not have a coat, at once. It was a cold day and R’ all things good, spiritually and Saadia did not have a coat, but that materially.” but that didn’t didn’t stop him from leaving. stop him from “When you get a shlichus from the OBSTACLES IN THE PATH Rebbe, you have to carry it out TO MOROCCO immediately,” he said. When he leaving. “When arrived at the train station R’ In the winter of 5710, a few Hendel Lieberman caught up to him days before his passing, the Rebbe you get a shlichus and gave him his coat. Rayatz spoke with his son-in-law, from the Rebbe, In Belgium he stayed in the later to be the Rebbe, about his homes of R’ Yeshaya Eidel and his work in connection with Merkos you have to carry friend, R’ Yehuda Chitrik (who was L’Inyanei Chinuch. He revealed his living in Antwerp at the time). Years desire to found mosdos chinuch al it out later, R’ Chitrik recalled those days, taharas ha’kodesh in African emphasizing the pleasure he had in countries in general and throughout immediately,” he hosting a Chassid like R’ Saadia and Morocco in particular. Then, on learning maamarei Chassidus with Yud Shevat, he passed away before said. him. the plan was implemented. Every Motzaei Shabbos R’ Within the Shiva, in his first place that had the potential for Chitrik would travel to Brussels to letter following the histalkus, the substantial donations. farbreng with fifteen men who Rebbe wrote to R’ Michoel Lipsker, Three days before Rosh convened in a building that whom the Rebbe Rayatz had HaShana, 1948, R’ Saadia wrote to belonged to Agudas Israel. When R’ referred to in their conversation, the Rebbe Rayatz about the Saadia stayed with him, he took him and asked him to carry out this suggestion, and on 3 Tishrei the along, and together they learned important shlichus. R’ Lipsker Rebbe sent his response. He blessed with the men and told stories. “It immediately agreed, and within a him and the trip and gave him a was a pleasure for them as well as a short time he headed for distant special mission to carry out in pleasure for us,” said R’ Chitrik. Morocco. He settled in Meknes and Belgium: When the shlichus was complete, soon established magnificent “In response to your letter of 27 R’ Saadia reported to the Rebbe schools. Elul about your trip to Belgium, Rayatz about the results. The Rebbe A few months later, on 3 Av, the may Hashem grant you success. Try was very pleased, and in a letter he Rebbe wrote to R’ Saadia, who was to visit all the towns and the small sent on 7 Cheshvan he referred to in a refugee camp in France with his villages and all the shuls, and him as “my friend, my talmid, my family, and urged him to expand the inquire in every place about the shliach, ha’Rav:” shlichus in Morocco. “It would be state of our fellow Jews in general “The letter from my friend, my good if you spoke to R’ Binyamin and about the state of the youth, talmid, my shliach, ha’Rav, from the Gorodetzky after his return from boys and girls, in particular – their third of this month arrived, and I Morocco, about the possibility of way of life, their conduct and ways greatly enjoyed [hearing about] your moving there, in a way that of chinuch. Visit the Talmudei Torah your visit to the shuls, battei you can continue with the type of and when you visit with the midrash, Talmudei Torah and the work the Rebbe gave you, for which honorable rabbanim, shochtim, schools, and their most esteemed he gave you kochos. If this is not roshei yeshivos and teachers in each and precious teachers, who possible, look into moving to location, converse with them with illuminate with the light of Torah Australia.” an inner closeness as befitting the and instill the fear of Heaven and R’ Saadia immediately leaders of the Jewish people… fine character traits; the honorable responded, expressing his Convey to them, and to all Jews, rabbanim, roshei yeshivos, and willingness to undertake this may G-d be with them, my blessing teachers who teach Torah and important shlichus. A month later that Hashem give them an implant fear of Heaven and fine he received the official go-ahead abundance of life and much from those in charge, and then the

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Rebbe told him, in a letter dated 12 “outstanding success, supernatural blessing, and may you succeed in Elul, “to begin acquiring all the within the natural.” your work in the vineyard of papers necessary to obtain More months passed with his Chabad in the mosad of the Rebbe, permission to enter the country.” request not granted, and R’ Saadia my father-in-law, which will draw He added his blessing, “May it all continued to try, making repeated additional bracha and success into be successful: acquiring the papers, attempts to obtain the necessary your personal affairs as well, yours the trip itself, and mainly – the papers. The Rebbe was disappointed and your household.” work there.” by this delay and urged him to Since his job on shlichus was not However, many problems continue trying in the hopes that defined, the Rebbe urged him to cropped up when he tried to get the “every delay is for the best and there discuss it and consult with the paperwork done. Perhaps it was is a time for every desire.” appropriate people “and arrange because of the government’s everything in the most effective way attitude after Israel became a state DIDAN NATZACH for the work, which is also, or because of other reasons, but in naturally, the best way for every one Despite all the delays the Rebbe the meantime, the trip was delayed. of the workers.” told him not to despair because, as Nevertheless, the Rebbe A few days after he arrived, a he wrote in one of the letters, “I continued to insist on the meeting was held of all the shluchim strongly hope that ultimately we will importance of the trip to Morocco who had come to Morocco in the be victorious and you will for the purpose of developing and meantime, together with R’ participate with all your kochos and expanding the work there. In a Binyamin Gorodetzky, who was talents in spreading the wellsprings letter to R’ Lipsker on 23 Teives, visiting Morocco. They concluded outward.” 5711, he wrote, “the idea is good that he would work in one of the A few weeks later, in Teives, …that R’ Liberov also come, large towns, Midelt. 5713, R’ Saadia finally received his because you must also think about When the Rebbe was asked visa and began preparing to leave. starting to work in Casablanca etc.” about this, he said “Midelt seems to This did not take long and he soon In the letter, the Rebbe asked be the best choice” for a number of left for Morocco, arriving there on him to look for ways to speed up reasons – since there were large 17 Adar, 5713. The Rebbe sent him the bureaucratic details and he schools there already, and among all a letter which said, “I received your suggested to R’ Saadia – “in my the other mosdos Chabad in letter from Casablanca [which says] opinion, immediately submit Morocco they were the most you already arrived there in a good another request for entry to populated, they needed a suitable and auspicious hour … may Morocco.” This was carried out, dean. Hashem help you be successful, and in a letter from the Rebbe dated In that same letter, the Rebbe may it be ‘change your place, Rosh Chodesh Elul, he expressed pointed out his specific role, “since change your mazal,’ for good and his satisfaction and wished the goal is not only to influence the talmidim and the children but also the adults, the balabatim and rabbanim, etc. in order to be mekarev them, not only to help with mosdos Oholei Yosef Yitzchok but with inyanei Chassidus in general – I hope and am confident that where you settle you will organize a group for men … and over time will establish from this group assistants, mashpiim, and educators.”

FRUITS OF HIS LABORS R’ Saadia did as the Rebbe said and settled in Midelt. He was hosted in the home of Chacham Meir Abuchatzeira, Av Beis Din of Rabbi Saadia Liberov near the Rebbe the city, who welcomed him

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concealments and cloaks are involved with it, especially those at He visited the city disappearing.” the top, with blessings from of Mishor and Hashem and success in what you INFLUENCING THE and your household need, materially helped develop the ENTIRE ENVIRONMENT or spiritually.” Wherever R’ Saadia visited, he Chabad mosdos Once his influence on the Jews made a powerful impression on of Midelt itself, where he spent most everyone with whom he met. They there, but could of his time and energy, continued to admired and respected him very spread, the Rebbe urged him to much, and received him with open not stay for long expand his sphere of influence on arms. “Baruch Hashem, wherever I the entire area – “you need to come arrive, I am provided full room and because he heard up with ideas and ways of how to board,” he wrote to his family at that the local impact the [larger] district of this time. Midelt.” R’ Saadia, in one of his letters, police were after So R’ Saadia began visiting the dated 10 Adar II, from the town nearby towns, where he gave Arpoud, which is near Midelt, wrote him... He had to shiurim in Chassidus and was about these trips and their success, mekarev the Jews to its ways and “The trip now is not hard for me. flee the city in the customs. On the contrary, I generally take He visited the city of Mishor and pleasure from the visit to the Oholei middle of the helped develop the Chabad mosdos Yosef Yitzchok schools, and from night. there, but could not stay there for the opportunity to meet and connect long because he heard that the local with wholehearted and upright police were after him. They graciously. people. Thank G-d a thread of suspected that he was an agent for kindness is drawn to each one and He began working on expanding Aliya, which operated secretly to the existing mosdos and spreading each person accordingly, and one convince Jews to make aliya, which can see empirically the possibilities Toras HaChassidus to the people of was forbidden at that time. He had the city. After a difficult period of and the necessity in the work here.” to flee the city in the middle of the The Rebbe asked R’ Saadia to “sowing,” with great dedication, he night. began to see the first buds of write to him posthaste about his He went to Rabat, where only successful activities because he success. Many more children began after much effort to convince the attending the Talmud Torah he ran, wanted to know not only about the authorities that he was there solely work with the talmidim of the working boys joined Tiferes for educational purposes, to Bachurim which he founded, and mosad in Midelt, but also about disseminate Torah to local Jews, was “the awakening of the adults and had set times to study Torah and he given permission to stay. Chassidus, balabatim attended the kiruv of those who lead the He traveled to Kashrishuk, flock, in every place.” farbrengens that he led, and Jewish where there were also Chabad life in general developed. mosdos, and met with the leader of R’ Saadia received a letter from the Jewish committee there, Mr. PROMISES FULFILLED the Rebbe dated 5 Tamuz 1953 Yaakov Ben Simcha, who helped a Despite the various difficulties which said, “I received your letter. great deal in their expansion. After that stood in his way, R’ Saadia Thank G-d, it seems from your he reported to the Rebbe regarding trusted in the Rebbe’s promise of letter that you are seeing fruits of his meeting, Mr. Ben Simcha “outstanding success in a way of the your labor. May Hashem grant that received a letter from the Rebbe supernatural within the natural.” you see how the Rebbe, my father- which said, “I was pleased to When he had a yechidus, the Rebbe in-law is drawing down success in a receive the letter from…Reb Saadia promised him, “R’ Saadia, your supernatural manner.” Liberov, in which he writes about beginning is small, but your end will A few weeks later he wrote your good work in strengthening be exceedingly great.” again, “I was pleased that finally the mosdos Oholei Yosef Yitzchok R’ Saadia wrote to his family, you are seeing blessing as you are Lubavitch within his pure camp. “May Hashem disperse and melt all working in a mosad of the Rebbe, “Great is the merit of your lofty the obstacles, and may the sun of my father-in-law, and therefore the work to bring bounty to all those success shine openly, materially and

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spiritually. Surely we need to hope Rebbe, and the response was, “If, in family in France, wrote about this to that the promises of the Rebbe will your opinion, you will accomplish the Rebbe. In a letter dated 12 bring the light which is good, so more by founding or running Nissan, 5714, the Rebbe replied, “If that it is apparent and visible in all schools, yeshivos etc. in another the negotiations work out well, so ways and details.” city, please immediately write a that the yeshiva is given to Reshet Despite everything, R’ Saadia detailed proposal.” Oholei Yosef Yitzchok, it will was successful in Midelt itself and The opportunity arose to start a certainly need a suitable menahel. the entire area, effecting big Chabad yeshiva g’dola in Sefrou. Why look elsewhere.” changes and strengthening Torah Sefrou was an ancient city, not far The mosad ended up in and the spreading of the wellsprings from Fez, the city of the Rambam, Chabad’s hands, and upon his of Chassidus. The Rebbe’s promises with a large Jewish population. It return to Morocco, R’ Saadia settled began to materialize before his very was known as a city of sages. The in Sefrou and re-opened the eyes. Jews, like in other Moroccan cities, yeshiva, which was now run in the On 23 Shevat, 1954, the Rebbe lived in one ghetto, or malach, and spirit of Chabad. Many talmidim wrote to him, “I was pleased to had fine mosdos Torah and chinuch. joined the yeshiva he headed. receive your two letters from Midelt. All of them were religiously The goal of this mosad was to The main thing is that you have observant. On Shabbos, for serve as a yeshiva for older already seen that the Rebbe, my example, not a single store was bachurim, because there were father-in-law is being mashpia, in open, so that even the Arabs had to schools for young children already. that you were able to correct the close their stores since there were Along with increasing the number of matter of the teachers and the other no customers. talmidim, the Rebbe also issues. May Hashem enable you to A short while before, a Litvishe emphasized quality – “that the see the continued success in all rav from England, R’ Binyamin mosad should have the proper form matters, constantly, everyday.” Peltz, came and tried to start a according to the [Divine] intent.” yeshiva. He bought a large building R’ Saadia ran the yeshiva, and YESHIVA G’DOLA outside the Jewish area, in a large, the schedule and curriculum were IN SEFROU beautiful orchard. He was not the same as in any Chabad yeshiva. successful for various reasons. He The level of the talmidim was high. During his visits throughout the went into debt and had to close Along with Gemara and halacha, area, R’ Saadia concluded that it shop. In order to prevent a Chilul they spent hours a day on was worthwhile settling in another Hashem, Chabad got involved and Chassidus, and heard fascinating city in order to expand his sphere of negotiated with him to transfer the shiurim in Tanya from R’ Saadia influence in spreading Judaism and building to them, along with the himself. Chassidus within the schools and debts. R’ Saadia also gave a high level beyond. He wrote about this to the R’ Saadia, who was visiting his Gemara shiur for the oldest class and a Tanya shiur to the staff. On special days he would farbreng with the talmidim and their teachers. Like his Chassidus classes, these were spiced with inspirational Chassidic stories. The yeshiva earned an excellent reputation and talmidim from all over the country attended it. Yet the Rebbe continuously urged to increase the number of students: “Surely you will add in efforts to increase the number of students and naturally, also increase the quality. As I wrote already, that this is obvious from Chazal – a thousand enter etc. and one comes out worthy of ruling on halacha. May it R’ Saadia (center) with a group of young talmidim in Sefrou

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help of assistants. R’ Saadia was very involved in the R’ Saadia would When the yeshiva grew, R’ public life of the Jewish community Saadia arranged for additional bunk and made a deep impression. walk in the streets beds, to provide for the large He regularly took part in all number of talmidim. When this too celebrations that took place, and of the city without was not enough and the dormitory helped a lot in developing mosdos fear. He was was not large enough for all, he Torah and Chinuch in the city, tried to expand it. especially Beis Rifka for girls, which highly respected by On 2 Av, 1956, the Rebbe wrote, was officially under the Rav’s “Regarding what you write that the administration. the Arabs, who living quarters are too small … you R’ Saadia gave many shiurim in need to discuss this … about Chassidus, to groups as well as considered him a enlarging the place … and individuals. Every week he went to consequently, there will be room for the malach of the city with a bundle holy man. more talmidim.” of Sifrei Tanya and he taught until Occasionally you Once, when members of the late at night. One of the participants Joint visited Sefrou to see the said, “Everybody enjoyed the stories could see an Arab development of the yeshiva, they of tzaddikim, and his abundance of found it to be somewhat disorderly knowledge with which Hashem had approaching the from a physical standpoint. When graced him.” they pointed this out, R’ Saadia He often held farbrengens, yeshiva building replied, “By us, we don’t hold of which attracted large audiences. seider except on Pesach night.” Even those who were unaccustomed and kissing the The students, teachers and to the Chassidic way were soon “holy stones.” administration received many letters drawn to the great light. Rabbanim from the Rebbe. He answered in down to the simple people came and detail to those who corresponded enjoyed this wonderful spiritual be with success.” with him, each talmid according to experience. They were all charmed During intersession, one of the his needs. by his personality, the likes of which teachers, Rabbi Yonatan Levy, went R’ Saadia himself received they had never encountered before. around the country and promoted dozens of letters from the Rebbe His davening, especially on the yeshiva in the small towns, with instructions, advice and special Shabbos, was famous and made an accomplishing a lot for the yeshiva guidance regarding everything to do impression. He would daven at and its continued growth. with running the mosdos, along length with a sweetness that would with much encouragement and tug at your heartstrings, especially “EXPAND THE PLACE brachos for success in this holy during intersession, when he could OF YOUR TENT” work – “work of Heaven,” “to raise relax somewhat and spend hours on talmidim who are Chassidim, Yerei it. In addition to running the Shamayim, and Lomdim.” Many Jews would gather nearby spiritual end of things, R’ Saadia The Rebbe told him to distribute in order to observe his outstanding also had the responsibility of the Chanuka gelt every year, in the Chassidic ways, while he, daily running of the yeshiva on his Rebbe’s name, to the talmidim, and completely focused on his davening, shoulders. The budget was covered even appointed him to stand in for did not notice the commotion with help from the American Joint him. around him. Distribution Committee, an In this manner he managed to organization that did a great deal instill the outlook and wondrous for Holocaust survivors and INVOLVEMENT IN COMMUNAL AFFAIRS ways of Chassidus. The Rebbe told refugees, and helped with him in yechidus that in Morocco enterprises such as this one. In accordance with the Rebbe’s you could establish “200,000 R’ Saadia’s wife, Rebbetzin instruction to see himself as a Baalshemske Yidden.” Indeed, many Miriam (Mariasha), who had in the shliach of the Rebbeim to his city began to follow Toras ha’Chassidus meantime (16 Iyar, 1954) joined and country – not only in inyanei and took on Chassidic practices. her husband in Morocco, prepared Toras ha’Chassidus and its ways but If at first there were those who meals and did other things, with the as far as the general state of Jewry –

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shied away from Chassidic customs, protected the Jews and did not allow talmidim lived in peace and did not like immersing in a mikva before anti-Semitic sentiments to explode. suffer from the local Arabs. R’ davening, within a short time, when Nevertheless, every so often, Saadia would walk in the streets of they saw R’ Saadia walking a long innocent Jews were scapegoats for the city without fear. He was highly distance in order to immerse, many those thirsty for their blood. Jews respected by the Arabs, who joined him. lived in fear and holed themselves considered him a holy man. After a year in Sefrou he was up, as much as possible, in their Occasionally you could see an Arab able to establish a new mikva in the ghettos. approaching the yeshiva building area. The Rebbe took a great The yeshiva was outside the and kissing the “holy stones.” interest in this and told him to fix it malach and people were scared. The King of Morocco died according to instructions from the The Rebbe wrote to R’ Saadia, “The suddenly in 1957 and the Jews were Rebbe Rashab, and in accordance Guardian of His nation, Israel, who terrified, even though in his will he with Chabad custom. does not slumber or sleep, will told his son and heir to follow in his surely protect each and every one of ways and be kind to the Jews. They STORY OF MESIRUS them among Klal Yisroel in every were afraid the son would not NEFESH matter, whether material or comply and would be their enemy. spiritual, especially those who are It was a sensitive time in Jewish- Thanks to the establishment of involved in holy work of drawing Arab relations, in light of the Sinai the State of Israel, anti-Semitism Jews closer to our Father in Campaign going on in Israel. They increased among the Arabs in heaven.” were especially fearful of the period Morocco, but King Mohammad Indeed, generally speaking, the between kings when, in the best Arab tradition, this could turn into a period of pogroms. The Jews locked HELPING INDIVIDUALS themselves into their homes because traveling from city to city was As related by a talmid: dangerous. R’ Saadia radiated emuna, bitachon and simcha. “Until R’ Saadia An announcement was made by came to Sefrou, they didn’t know how to rejoice on Simchas Torah. the local authorities that there When he came, nearly everybody gathered around him to see and enjoy would be a mourning gathering for true simcha. All of them would come to watch the unusual sight, how the king’s sudden passing. All he would dance and prance with all his might, and spin around in utter residents of the city convened, joy. They were deeply affected by him and were drawn into the including the Jews. The Jewish Lubavitcher, joyous atmosphere which ‘flared up to the heavens,’” said leaders instructed them to go and the rav of the city, Rabbi Dovid Ovadia. demonstrate their participation in Most of Moroccan Jewry would eat machine matzos on Pesach, but the grieving for the national loss. All when R’ Saadia came, they all ate handmade shmura matza. For this schools in Sefrou were closed and purpose, he would travel every year, around Pesach time, to Meknes thousands of children also attended. and together with all the Chabad shluchim baked matzos with all the That is, all schools but one – the Chabad hiddurim, enough to supply everyone with matzos. Chabad yeshiva which was located R’ Saadia did not only benefit the city as a whole. He was a good among Arabs. listener for people’s personal problems and personally got involved in “Torah study cannot be people’s lives. abrogated for anything,” declared R’ One time, related Rabbi Yonatan Levy, a Jew could not repay a loan Saadia. “It demands mesirus nefesh, he owed an Arab and was put in jail. He had borrowed a sum of money like in Russia. That is the only thing in order to open a business together with him, as most Jews did, but I brought with me from there.” was not successful and did not have the money with which to repay the One of the talmidim recounted, man. “Although it was strange, we The Arab, who was friendly with the authorities, immediately continued with our learning and arranged for them to arrest the Jew, and he was imprisoned without a davening as though nothing was trial. He was among merciless criminals and his life was in danger. going on. Amazingly, the Arabs When R’ Saadia found out about this, he did not rest until he respected his position and not one personally raised the money. He saved the Jew’s life and fulfilled the said a word. The Jews were amazed mitzva of pidyon shvuyim. by this mesirus nefesh.”

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BLESSED OUTCOME R’ Saadia worked with mesirus nefesh for the success of his shlichus, as the Rebbe said in yechidus with a relative, “R’ Saadia sits in Morocco and is moser nefesh to be mekarev Jewish children to Chassidus.” Chabad mosdos in Sefrou, and throughout Morocco, thrived with unnatural success and became an empire. Thanks to the mesirus nefesh of R’ Saadia and the other shluchim in Morocco, thousands of children received their education in Chabad schools, and as a result remained loyal to Hashem and His To r a h . In the course of the work, problems arose. Every so often large groups of Jews would leave Morocco, thanks to the work of the Aliya emissaries. They were R’ Saadia at a Chassidic farbrengen convinced by their promises of the material and spiritual good that awaited them in our Holy Land. connected to the tree of life, the Rebbe.” Obviously, these mass aliyos made it hard on the mosdos, and in a letter from 1962, 12 Teives, R’ THE SHLICHUS IS COMPLETED Saadia told about the confusion that prevailed. “There When the wave of immigration increased and was confusion a month ago regarding aliya, when they included many talmidim of the mosdos (and the staff thought that all were leaving en masse. The first thing too), questions arose about the future of the work in they did was take their children out of the mosdos, Morocco. “If [aliya] continues at this rate,” wrote R’ and we lost a lot of talmidim. But afterwards, thank Saadia on 14 Shevat, 1964, “[everything connected G-d, it stopped and was quiet as before in this respect, with the mosdos] is highly doubtful, both because of but we don’t know what the future will bring because the students and because of the Joint. But surely if they are all standing at the ready, waiting to leave.” Hashem desires it we will succeed, even in the coming The Rebbe, in his letter from that period, 24 days.” Teives, wished him that he would relate good news Aliya continued, and more and more talmidim left. with peace of mind. R’ Saadia continued working on Tens of thousands of Jews made aliya and the small chinuch al taharas ha’kodesh. towns emptied out. Most of the talmidim from Sefrou A while later, the aliya started up again, and left with their parents, leaving hardly any behind. The numerous people left the country. R’ Saadia warned Jews who remained moved to the larger cities like them what awaited them, and urged them to stand Casablanca, where Rabbi Shlomo Matusof, Rabbi strong against the winds of heresy and to educate their Yehuda Leib Raskin, Rabbi Sholom Eidelman and children in accordance with their chinuch. others worked devotedly. Many of the immigrants listened to him, and Various offers were made to R’ Saadia to work in thanks to R’ Saadia they remained religious Jews. other locations, but the mass aliya from all over Among the talmidim, most of them established fine Morocco made this questionable. Jewish homes and raised frum children, while they At the beginning of Sivan, 1964, when R’ Saadia themselves served as rabbanim, shochtim, sofrim and saw how things stood, he sent a letter to the Rebbe disseminators of Torah. asking what to do. Perhaps his shlichus in Morocco “Thanks to Rabbeinu Saadia” – wrote Rabbi was over and it was time to move on. Yonatan Levy, who is now a rav in Shchunat HaYovel The Rebbe’s response said, “When you will present in Yerushalayim – “and thanks to his strong, specific suggestions (regarding your future uncompromising education, we were able to stand arrangements) – there is room for my opinion.” strong against all the spiritual dangers which hovered In the meantime, with the end of the summer over us, and were able to continue educating our z’man, R’ Saadia began preparing for a trip to the children in the way of Torah and Chassidus. Thanks to Rebbe for Tishrei 5725. Before he left, he made him, many families were saved from the clutches of whatever arrangements were necessary as far as the heresy and were not enticed by them, including me yeshiva was concerned. This, in fact, ended his and my family. And thanks to him we remain shlichus in Morocco.

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thought DUST AND REWARD

By Rabbi Yosef Karasik, Rav district Bat Chefer-Emek Chefer

for a mitzva is a mitzva” – the Why is the reward for a mitzva the privilege to do another mitzva. This opportunity to do another mitzva? How is what it says in sifrei Chassidus, “the reward for a mitzva is a mitzva did Avrohom receive his reward for from the root meaning connection, i.e. through the mitzva he cleaves to saying, “I am dust and ashes”? What do Hashem. There is no greater reward and pleasure than this, for he the Red Heifer and the laws of Sota receives the countenance of the Sh’china” (unlike other creations, have to do with Avrohom’s avoda? * A such as animals, who have no fascinating look at the parsha of the mitzvos and do not have the privilege of doing His mitzvos). week from the perspective of the In addition, there is the tremendous spiritual power that is Midrash, Kabbala, and Chabad the result of a mitzva, which is actually the great reward for doing Chassidus. it. The holy Sh’china shines a joyous and smiling countenance AVROHOM AVINU’S reward for a mitzva is a mitzva.” upon a Jew who fulfills a mitzva. REWARD This means that the reward for a From every single mitzva an angel is mitzva is the privilege of being able created, a spiritual entity that Rabba expounded in the Talmud to fulfill G-d’s command. One protects the mitzva-doer. So the (Sota 17a): In reward for Avrohom should do a mitzva “not in order to reward for a mitzva is the outcome Avinu lowering himself and saying, receive a reward”, for the fact that of that very mitzva. (So too for a sin “and I am dust and ashes,” his we have the enormous privilege of – punishment for a sin is that when descendents, the Jewish people, Hashem giving us the ability to a person sins he distances himself merited two mitzvos: a mitzva that is fulfill His instructions is the greatest from the source of life and blessing, fulfilled with dust – the mitzva of the reward of all. and by doing a sin an evil angel is dust of the Sota – and a mitzva that All material pleasures and all of created.) is fulfilled with ashes – the mitzva of physical existence cannot provide a For most work that is done in the ashes of the Red Heifer. proper reward for a mitzva, because the world, the payment is not a A reward from G-d is “measure every mitzva has an infinite effect. direct outcome of the job. For for measure,” which means there is The entire world is not sufficient example, a teacher teaches and his a connection between the type of reward for even one mitzva! reward is money; he does not avoda and the reward that is (On the flip side – “the payment receive chochma as a reward. But received. What connection is there for a sin is a sin” means that all the when a person does a mitzva, the between these two mitzvos – sorrows and pains in the world are reward is a direct outcome of the purifying the Sota and those impure not sufficient punishment for one mitzva. The actual good deed by contact with the dead – and what sin. A sin defies Hashem’s illuminates him and sanctifies him. Avrohom did? command and adversely affects all Since “the reward for a mitzva is the worlds and supernal forces and a mitzva,” the reward for each THE REWARD the infinite G-dly power). mitzva is defined and specific to the FOR A MITZVA What then, is a worthwhile spiritual accomplishment of the mitzva. The reward for one mitzva In Pirkei Avos (4:2) it says, “The reward for a mitzva? “The reward

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is not the same as the reward of reward is even stronger. What reward? another mitzva. connection is there between his If the reward for a mitzva was avoda and his reward? WHAT IS LOVE? like the compensation that a worker Avrohom was a man of chesed. First, let us examine Avrohom’s gets, all mitzvos would generate the He served Hashem with great love, love and chesed. In the Midrash it identical reward – blessing and to the extent that he was described says that his chesed was done success. Although there is a (Yeshaya 41:8) as “Avrohom who humbly and modestly, fully difference in the amount of reward loved Me.” Avrohom was generous identifying with the recipients of the given for each mitzva, in quality with his money, his body and his chesed. In his heart, Avrohom felt they are identical, just as all soul. He even hosted wicked people, the other person’s difficulties; he employees receive the identical idol worshippers, in his home, and empathized, felt his pain and helped reward – money. The difference did so graciously. He had enormous to the best of his ability. between the manager’s salary and love, not only for his righteous son In order to be a “man of the janitor’s salary is only in the size Yitzchok, but also for the wicked chesed,” to help and give, you don’t of their check; they all receive a Yishmoel. He showered him with need the humility and modesty of monetary payment. goodness, not condemnation, even “and I am dust and ashes.” Even But when it comes to reward for though his ways were corrupt. people who are not humble mitzvos, there is a big difference It would seem logical that his contribute tz’daka and do chesed between the reward for this mitzva reward would be mitzvos of chesed because they desire to help someone and the reward for another mitzva. in need. Avrohom’s uniqueness was The reward for mitzvos is like the in his feeling of humility. He felt payment that a farmer gets for A man of chesed lower than everyone else, and toiling on his land. His reward is thought that everybody deserved commensurate with his work. If he like Avrohom gives more than he did. plants an olive tree, he will get There are people whose tz’daka olives; if he plants grape vines, he tz’daka not only makes the poor person feel will harvest grapes. from his surplus, uncomfortable. Their attitude The same is true for mitzvos. proclaims, “I’m the strong one, For example, the reward for the but also from his you’re the weak one; I’m the rich mitzva of tz’daka is wealth. The man and you’re the nebach case on reward for helping the sick is being own bread and the receiving end.” Avrohom gave saved from illness. The reward for the recipient the opposite feeling, cheering up those who need water. that the poor man was doing him a cheering, is not being downcast favor by being willing to accept his oneself. The reward for teaching help. He did not communicate a Torah to someone is that your mind and love, yet the two mitzvos he was feeling of superiority. and heart become refined so you given as a reward – the Red Heifer A man of chesed like Avrohom can understand the holy Torah. and the Sota laws – are mitzvos of gives tz’daka not only from his Every mitzva creates an angel din, instead! surplus, but also from his own bread according to the type of mitzva it is. Burning the heifer is the and water, because he feels lower A person who serves Hashem with attribute of din and g’vura. Its red than others and gives tz’daka from a the midda of love, receives a reward color symbolizes din, and the Zohar feeling of devotion and service. of love, and an angel of chesed is states that the heifer has all the created. A person who serves powers of din and g’vura (“five Hashem with the midda of din and g’vuros”). All the laws of how it is G-DLY MESIRUS NEFESH g’vura, receives a reward of g’vura, done come from din, rather than The two mitzvos of the Red and an angel of g’vura is created chesed and rachamim. So too, the Heifer and the Sota, which were which protects him. Sota laws start with the husband’s given to the Jewish people as a zeal and din and continues with the reward for Avrohom Avinu’s avoda, WHAT’S THE Beis Din’s harsh words and threats. express the idea of love which is CONNECTION? The entire process is one of din, and exemplified in Avrohom. not at all chesed and rachamim. Purifying the impure doesn’t Based on what was said so far, Why are these mitzvos Avrohom’s come from a feeling of superiority. the question about Avrohom’s

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The Kohen who does the of his own purity. At that time, the real reward for purification does not convey the This is the true measure of our avoda will be given, a reward message, “I am pure and you are chesed. It doesn’t look away from which is not something additional to impure and therefore I am purifying impurity, but seeks to help rectify it. the avoda that we did but a direct you.” It was just the opposite. He The same is true with the mitzva outcome of it. By fulfilling Torah conveyed the feeling of love to such of Sota, where Hashem’s holy name and mitzvos a holy light was an extent that in order to purify the is erased and the water is given to generated in the world, but until the other person, he himself became the woman to drink. Even though coming of Moshiach, this G-dly impure. The Mishna in Para says, erasing G-d’s name is a desecration light remains hidden. In the future, “All those involved with the heifer, of His name, and this was a woman it will be revealed. from beginning to end, become who acted immodestly and is This is what is meant when impure.” (This was a lighter form of suspected of a terrible sin, Chazal say, “all the days of your life impurity, from which they could be nevertheless, this is done out of – to bring to Yemos HaMoshiach.” purified in a day, not the severe great love, in order to purify her for A Jew’s avoda, from the time we impurity engendered by contact with her husband. became a nation until the end of the dead). galus, is to bring Moshiach, because So the purification ceremony ULTIMATE REWARD IN at that time the purpose of all the demonstrated tremendous Ahavas YEMOS HA’MOSHIACH avoda will be revealed. That is when Yisroel, like that of Avrohom Avinu. the sparks of light and holiness in Only someone who truly loves All the types of reward that a all of a Jew’s actions will be others can deal with all kinds of person receives in this world and revealed, and even more than that – people, not just pure, perfect the world of souls are not the “Hashem’s Essence will be revealed individuals. When a man of love ultimate payoff for all of man’s in this physical, lowly world.” helps someone become pure, he avoda throughout the generations. Yehi ratzon … that the Beis doesn’t convey a sense of The ultimate reward will be given in HaMikdash is built speedily in our superiority. He purifies the person Yemos HaMoshiach, a time we look days … even when it comes at the expense forward to eagerly. Sources: Likkutei Sichos vol. 25, p. 79

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Total Distribution (Sum of 15c and 15e) Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Month 12,772; Actual no. Copies of Single lssue Published Nearest to Filing Date 12,759. g. Copies not Distributed Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Month 238; Actual no. Copies of Single lssue Published Nearest to Filing Date 251. h. Total (Sum of 15f, and g) Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Month 13,010; Actual no. Copies of Single lssue Published Nearest to Filing Date 13,010. i. Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation (15c. divided by 15g. times 100) Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Month 100%; Actual no. Copies of Single lssue Published Nearest to Filing Date 100%.16. Publication of Statement of Ownership Publication required. Will be printed in the 11/14/08 issue of this publication 17. (Signature and title of Editor, Publisher, Business Manager, or Owner) Mendel Hendel, Managing Editor (7l8) 778-8000 Date September. 26th, 2007. I certify that all information furnished on this form Is true and complete, l understand that anyone who furnishes false or misleading information on this form or who omits material or information requested on the form may be subject to criminal sanctions (including fines and imprisonment) and/or civil sanctions (including multiple damages and civil penalties). PS Form 3526, September 2007

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farbrengen THE REWARD FOR DESERTION

A Farbrengen with Rebbetzin Chaya Rochel Hendel

PERSONAL MISSION meantime had heard that there was a the topic of Family Purity, which IN MONTREAL class for Israelis. They longed to was meant for married women. meet up with other Israelis, and they Although the shiur took place in a About twenty years ago, I went showed up at the shiur. distant area, they came. I figured it to the Rebbe together with a group I was very impressed by their was okay that they attended, since led by Rabbi Tzeitlin. When we mesirus nefesh. They were not even the Rebbe says that older girls passed by the Rebbe for “dollars,” religious, but in order not to throw should also learn about Family Rabbi Groner introduced me to the Jews out of their homes they fled the Purity. Rebbe by saying, “This is Rebbetzin country. By Divine Providence, the Hendel from Tzfas.” The Rebbe I started the shiur by teaching the hostess told the following story at looked at me and asked, “From brachos on food. There were ample the beginning of the shiur: A woman Montreal?” refreshments, so we were able to say in Crown Heights waited ten years That is when I understood that I nearly all the brachos in order. I to have a child, until the Rebbe told have a shlichus in Montreal, where taught them the mnemonic maga her, “Taharas HaMishpacha.” The my husband’s family lives, in eish which stands for mezonos, woman had always observed the addition to in Eretz Yisroel, where I gefen, eitz, adama, sh’ha’kol. I laws carefully, but since the Rebbe live. Whenever I am invited to explained that saying a bracha is like gave her that answer she went to a Montreal, I try to go and speak. a direct call to G-d. We say, “Boruch shiur on Taharas HaMishpacha. About two years ago, I joined my ata Hashem…,” and are blessed in At the shiur, the speaker told a husband on his fundraising trip to return, and who doesn’t need story about a game in which a boy raise money for the Ohr Menachem Hashem’s blessings? gave a girl a ring and said in jest, mosdos in Tzfas. Our itinerary One of the policewomen, aged “harei at mekudeshes li b’tabaas zu included two weeks in Montreal. 32, said with a smile that if her …” The speaker said that if there As soon as I arrived, I was asked mother knew she was attending a were witnesses, the woman needed a to speak for the Machon Dovrei Ivrit Torah class, she would flip, since she get l’chumra (a divorce). (MADA). The shiur took place at the was opposed to religion. Now she The woman without children, home of shlucha Riva Hamburger, held a cookie and said she had lost hearing this, was shaken up. She and many women came. Two young her phone to call G-d and needed remembered that as a girl, back in women walked in, Israeli ours. In short, she asked for Israel, she had belonged to the policewomen who had fled the guidance in reciting the bracha. HaTzofim (Scouts) movement and country in order not to take part in How sad that a cultured girl, an had played this game. She consulted the Expulsion. They had received Israeli policewoman, from the center with rabbanim and was told that three orders to throw families out of of the country, pretty, smart, etc., did even though twenty years had their homes, and had been trained in not know how to recite a bracha and passed, she needed to ask the boy- how to beat the women and children. needed help to say it word by word. man for a get. They simply fled the country with After many inquiries, she found foreign passports. They left their him. He was already married and families and jobs and went to DRAMATIC SHIUR had several children. Her family in Canada, since one of them had a Throughout the two weeks, the Israel was sent to take him to Beis grandmother who lived there. They two women went to every shiur I Din, and he gave her a get. A month were looking for work, but in the gave in Ivrit, even the last shiur, on after the halachic matters were taken

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care of, she conceived. She wrote a Montreal. I tried to find out about some of them had not heard the letter to the Rebbe thanking him for the policewomen, but nobody I story, they asked me to repeat it. saving her from the serious sin of asked knew where they were. The policewoman listened, amazed “eishes ish.” Then came the surprise. A year that I remembered the details, and In Montreal, one of the or two ago, as I sat in shul in Kiryat she confirmed everything. She policewomen who heard the story Chabad in Tzfas one Shabbos, a added that her friend had arranged was shaken up and told us, “I also woman came over to me at the end a get and we hope she gets married belonged to HaTzofim and I did the of the davening and asked, “Do you soon. same thing! Ten boys stood facing remember two policewomen who She told me she is learning at ten girls and we played ‘wedding.’ fled Israel for Montreal?” Machon Chana in New York. When Each one said to the girl facing him, “Of course,” I replied. Then she her grandmother in Montreal saw ‘harei at mekudeshet li…,’ and of told me, “I am one of them. I did she was becoming religious through course there were witnesses. Do I t’shuva a few months ago, came Chabad, she told her that thirty also have to find the boy and ask back to Israel, and I’ve been looking years earlier she had gone with a him for a get?” Then she added, for you.” It was an emotional group to the Lubavitcher Rebbe. “Now I understand why I haven’t reunion, especially with those The Rebbe gave her three dollars: gotten married yet. I think this is results! one for her, one for her daughter, what is holding me up.” In Tishrei, 5768, we were sitting and one for her granddaughter! She In the meantime, we told her to in 770 and I made a small is the first granddaughter, and her make inquiries, and I was happy to farbrengen, in thanks to Hashem for grandmother received a dollar for see, with my own eyes, the reward saving one of my sons on that day. her a year before she was born. She she was getting for her mesirus It was an active farbrengen with is 29. nefesh. At the end of the shiur she everybody telling interesting stories, Before our astonished eyes, she announced that she thought it over when suddenly the policewoman opened her wallet and took out the and realized that all those boys and showed up and told the participants, dollar her grandmother had gotten girls had not yet gotten married! girls from Machon Alte, P’nimius from the Rebbe for her, a year and Ohr Chaya, “I am one of the before she was born. HE SEES WHAT policewomen from Montreal that How wondrous are the ways of WE DON’T SEE the Rebbetzin told you about.” Moshiach! He sees from one end of The girls were excited, and since the world to the other. A year later I was back in Incidentally, she said that many of the policemen and policewomen who carried out the cruel expulsion from Gush Katif and northern Shomron are now being treated by psychiatrists and psychologists. They can’t sleep at night because of the nightmare they took part in. As for her, the one who was moser nefesh and left her family, her job, her friends, her country, so that she wouldn’t hit Jews and throw them out of their homes, she came to the truth, to the truth of To r a h . Boruch Hashem, she recently became engaged to a Chassidishe man, a baal t’shuva and Lubavitcher who learns in MADA in Montreal. May she build an everlasting edifice on the foundation of Torah and Chassidus, to give nachas to the Rebbe MH”M and her family. L’chaim!

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memoirs WHAT WERE THE KGB LOOKING FOR IN MY WORKSHOP?

For years it remained a mystery until it THE SOLUTION The most popular solution in was solved in the course of a fortuitous the early years of the communist revolution was to work at home. meeting. * Another chapter in the Many Lubavitchers took advantage of a loophole in the memoirs of R’ Hillel Zaltzman. * Part law which allowed a person with 1 of 2 physical limitations to work from home. After producing medical statements, they received To be a religious Jew in Soviet lead to charges of religious permission to work at home. This Russia was more than just worship and was considered a enabled them to work when they difficult; it was nearly impossible. crime against the state. If you pleased. Some Lubavitchers with Although officially the law did undermined productivity, you initiative were able to open not forbid a religious life, there were undermining the economy factories and be their own were many limitations that of all of Russia. bosses. dogged the lives of an observant Some Jews working in small In every city there was a Jew. factories tried to bribe the government office that was One of the most difficult managers to look away from their responsible for the workers and challenges was making a living Shabbos absences, but the industry in the city. In without desecrating the Shabbos. manager would usually refuse for communist Russia there was no In Russia, everybody had to fear of losing his job if anyone private business, of course. work. If you did not work, you found out. In addition, Everything belonged to the were labeled a parasite and your employees were encouraged to government. If you wanted to citizenship rights were revoked. tattle on their bosses in the event open a plant, you had to work Thus, everybody had to find that they noticed anything illegal under a government plant and be employment, at least officially. going on. subservient to government The official places of employment Only a few people managed to regulations. were open seven days a week, find work as an accountant in a As there wasn’t room for and if you were registered as an small factory, without many everyone within the main plants, employee, you had to show up to workers around, where, in rare some of the factory workshops work on Shabbos. Since all instances, it was possible to come were within them, while others businesses were nationalized and to an agreement with the were located far from them. thereby considered state manager. Since we would close the property, being absent would workshop on Shabbos, we

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opened it as far from the main didn’t show up; they just wanted terms – mainly because I could plant as possible to avoid the to frighten us. Sometimes they bribe them so that they wouldn’t scrutiny of the managers. showed up, walked around for bother me. Despite all our caution, five minutes, and left. They were I presented samples of the occasionally the managers of the satisfied just to see us there. cloth emblems I planned on main plant announced that they Like all the Lubavitcher producing. They wanted to know were coming for inspection on bachurim, I had no profession how this would work – who Shabbos. We had no choice. We with which to support myself. I would need these emblems, and had to be there. Before Shabbos decided to open a factory to who would buy them. I explained we would bring Sifrei Chassidus, manufacture clothing labels. I that the manufacturing would be and on Shabbos morning all of went to one of the government done only after I got specific us would show up at the factory factories and asked for orders from factories. I and learn Chassidus or review permission to open a factory. I maintained that most workers in the sidra as we waited for the thought they would be interested my line of work lived far from inspectors. Most of the time, they in me and would agree to my the main factory, and that I

The Zaltzman brothers, Hillel and Berel, in Samarkand

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In the Soviet Union there was western countries people got a Before Shabbos also an individual quota for each receipt for a donation, we could worker. By law, every person had not understand it. We knew that we would bring to receive an average salary of when you send a telegram or a between 90-100 rubles a month. package, you get a receipt from Sifrei Chassidus, Someone who worked extra the post office, but who needed a hours could make up to 120 receipt for tz’daka? When and on Shabbos rubles a month. But if a person someone explained that the morning all of us earned more than that, receipt verified that the money government officials would adjust had reached the organization and would show up at his salary in order to align his not someone’s private pocket, it output with the average salary. sounded even more peculiar. the factory and Since the output of our work *** learn Chassidus was likely to make large profits, At our factories we made we registered 15-20 Lubavitchers labels for clothes and other or review the as our employees though only 4- products. We filled orders for 5 people actually worked there. factories throughout the Soviet sidra as we This way, we were able to Union. In order to contact many provide an average salary of 120 factories, I sent agents waited for the rubles a month for each officially throughout the Soviet Union to listed worker, while the income solicit orders. Since the law inspectors. of the factory was really much stated that I had to get the work more. The employees who were myself, and not send agents for only registered and did not work therefore wanted to open a that purpose, all the people I sent received a small portion of the workshop near where they lived. were from Anash so I wouldn’t salary that was listed for their The managers, who were be endangered by tattling. name. bribed, of course, made a simple One day I had an idea – in These extra employees made calculation. What did they care if nearly every city there were their money on the black market. the business was far from them, factories called “industrial This way, they could observe the main thing was that they complexes.” I got a book with a Shabbos and Yom Tov without didn’t have to invest anything list of all the cities in the Soviet any difficulty. They registered and I promised to bring them the Union and sent hundreds of with us just to please the necessary amount. They happily letters with samples of labels that government, so they wouldn’t be approved my request, and I we made. On the envelope I persecuted as parasites. Both opened a workshop in the Jewish wrote “industrial complexes” and sides profited from this section of Samarkand. the name of the city. I didn’t arrangement. Aside from the bribes they have an exact address, but in Of course, all our employees, received, the managers had most cities, the postal workers both those who worked and those another motivation for approving knew the big factories by name, who were merely registered as my request. There was an and the letters usually made it to workers, had to be reliable people “income plan” which dictated their destination. A number of from among Anash. If just one that a factory had to earn a the factories that received my person would tattle, it would lead certain amount for the letters sent me orders. I had to the arrest of all involved and government, for example, plenty of work, without having to ruin everything. 100,000 rubles a year. The pay agents. I was glad when I was able to management had to ensure that earn nice amounts of money, each individual workshop would because this money was used for INSPECTION OF bring in a certain amount so that communal work. In general, the THE WORKSHOP it would add up to the required concept of giving one’s money total. Since I had always tried to Since the government did not for communal causes was an produce more than was required rely on the internal inspections of obvious one for us, to the point of me, they knew that we could government workers, every city that when we heard that in be relied upon to fill the quotas. had a government office which

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was called “The Technical so that each registered employee day. Inspection Bureau.” This would have a position where he department would to visit the would do some of the work, and MYSTERIOUS factories from time to time, I told them what to answer if DISAPPEARANCES check the level of productivity of they were asked questions. the workers, and decide whether Present during these The day arrived. At nine in it was necessary to change the inspections was a representative the morning most of the workers salary or the production quota. of the government plant under had arrived to work. Ivan During these inspections, they whom we worked. We had to arrived, along with Lilia, the would check the entire operation show him that the work leaving gentile representative of the plant from A to Z, and determine how our place matched the number of under which I worked. The only many labels each worker had to employees. This was complicated, one missing was the woman who produce. since on a daily basis, four represented the plant my brother We had good ties with the people did the work. The most worked for. head of the department, Ivan responsible job, working the Berel asked all of us to wait a Ivanovitz, after he got a hefty machine which made the labels, I little with the inspection until the bribe from us. When they had to left for myself. I didn’t want to representative of his plant would come and inspect our workshop, take a chance that someone else arrive Since we had no phone in he would come himself and would work quicker. our workshop, he went out to ensure that all went well. My brother Berel had a similar find a public phone to call her. Nevertheless, inspection day was workshop, but he worked for He wanted to tell her to hurry always nerve-wracking. another government concern. up, since everybody was waiting One day, we were informed by Since we had a good connection for her. the Inspection Bureau that we with the department head, we Berel was supposed to return should prepare for the annual decided that Berel would invite in five minutes. Ten minutes went inspection. We told all the the plant representative he by, and he still hadn’t returned. registered workers to be there on worked under, and get both of The main inspector said that inspection day. I arranged things our inspections over with in one while they waited for the other representative to come, he would go out to buy cigarettes. More time went by, and he didn’t return either. R’ Michoel Mishulovin, who was registered as a worker with me, said that until they all showed up and the inspection began, he was going to a nearby swimming pool in order to immerse before davening. He left his pocket sized Tanya, which he always kept in his pocket, at the office because he was afraid lest his clothes be stolen. If the Tanya was found, he could get into big trouble. He left. The minutes went by, and R’ Michoel, too, had disappeared. There was something very odd about all this, and it made me uneasy, but in my worst dreams I did not anticipate what was yet The yard where the workshop was located. It was after climbing over to come. this pile of stones that Berel fell into the hands of the KGB. Half an hour went by, and the

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head inspector returned with a about my brother and Michoel, pack of cigarettes. I asked him and I was frantic over what was The minutes went what happened and why he had taking them so long. been gone for half an hour I couldn’t think for long by, and R’ instead of five minutes. He because Ivan was standing next to Michoel, too, had avoided answering me, saying me with a stop watch in his hand, nothing happened, but I sensed timing how long it took to make a disappeared... that something bad had taken label. That way, he could calculate place. how many labels we could make There was In the meantime, the woman in a day and how much the representative showed up, but monthly salary should be. something very Berel had not returned. We After a long time, which decided to start the inspection seemed like forever to me, odd about all this, with my workshop, as it was Michoel came back. We were in and it made me nearly eleven o’clock. My hands the middle of the inspection so I were occupied with making couldn’t ask him what had uneasy. labels, but my head was happened. elsewhere. I was very worried [To be continued be”H]

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