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PRAISED IS ONE WHO FULFILLS THE  MITZVOS OF PURIM IN THIS MANNER D’var Malchus | Likkutei Sichos Vol. 26, pg. 442

LOOKING FOR A SIGN FROM ABOVE  Purim Story | Nosson Avrohom

HOW MANY TIMES DID G-D SAY,  ‘ANOCHI...’? Moshiach & Geula | Rabbi Zalman Hertzel

L’CHAIM!  Insight

USA A MOSHIACH SHIUR THAT SPARKED A 744 Eastern Parkway  Brooklyn, NY 11213-3409 REVOLUTION Tel: (718) 778-8000 Feature | Nosson Avrohom Fax: (718) 778-0800 [email protected] www.beismoshiach.org THESE DAYS OF PURIM Purim | Compiled by Shneur Zalman Levin EDITOR-IN-CHIEF:  M.M. Hendel ENGLISH EDITOR: Boruch Merkur ‘WORDS OF THE LIVING G-D’ IN LIVING [email protected] HEBREW EDITOR:  ENGLISH Rabbi Sholom Yaakov Chazan Book Review [email protected]

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them; he had only decreed against the Yehudim [i.e., observant Jews], as it is explained at length in the teachings of Chassidus regarding PRAISED IS Purim. The ultimate expression of self- sacrifice is when it influences one’s day-to-day life. That is to say that only one’s G-dly Soul should rule ONE WHO over his body and Animal Soul [the Animal Soul should never gain control]. The intermediary between the two souls is the Intellectual Soul, as discussed in the discourse FULFILLS THE (of my honorable father-in-law, the Rebbe shlita, when he was in America for the first time, in the year 5690) beginning with the words, “Rava Chazya,” among MITZVOS OF other places. It says that there is no poor man PURIM IN accept one who is poor in mind and S e l f - s a c r i f i c e requires the G-dly THIS MANNER Soul to be drawn into the Animal Soul and Likkutei Sichos Vol 26, pg. 442 the body. Translated by Boruch Merkur

Our Sages have said regarding the Mitzvos of the there is no rich man accept one who is rich in mind. days of Purim, “‘and sending portions [of food], a Therefore, the Intellectual Soul (needless to mention person to his friend’ – two portions to one person – the G-dly Soul) should not be called impoverished in ‘and gifts to the impoverished’ – two gifts to two absolute truth, which is not so with regard to the body people” (Megilla 7a). and the Animal Soul [which lack intelligence]. We may assert the following explanation of this Thus, following their show of self-sacrifice, the statement according to Chassidus: It is known that on Jewish people were then commanded regarding Purim there was a miracle of the salvation of both the Mitzvos that allude to the fact that self-sacrifice body and the soul (which was not the case regarding requires the G-dly Soul to be drawn into the Animal Chanuka, for it was a salvation from a spiritual exile Soul and the body. Namely, gifts to the impoverished, alone – Torah Ohr, discourse beginning with the and specifically two poor people [i.e., the body and the words, “The concept of Chanuka”; see also L’vush Animal Soul], and sending portions, a person to his brought in Taz Orach Chaim Section 670:3). The friend – i.e., the Intellectual Soul, which is called a Jewish people merited this on account of their self- “friend” of the G-dly Soul, for which reason it can be sacrifice for the sanctification of G-d’s name, for they an intermediary, as it is explained in the discourse cleaved to Him, may He be blessed, with the mentioned above. (Specifically two portions [are application of simple will, surpassing the intellect and required], for the intellect is not true intellect unless it reason. Indeed, had they wanted to change their comes to a resolution through judging from the outset religion, Haman would not have done anything to

  A>O1EBFKF #'1 +-1&' !& by considering an approach and its opposite, Perhaps there is grounds for further analysis as to beneficence and justice, problem and resolution, for why the name is specifically in the language of this comprises the intellect, as explained in several Haman: “Purim” and not “Goralos” [in the Holy places.) Tongue]. The classification of Torah that includes a concept The basis for attributing significance to this name for the sake of the Intellectual Soul, the Animal Soul, is the Chassidic explanation, which appears in many and also the body, are the addresses of the Rebbes, places, that the work of the G-dly Soul upon the which contain: 1) depth of thought, 2) instructions Animal Soul and the body effects an increase of with regard to [attaining] good character traits and strength also in the service of the G-dly Soul, in feelings of the heart, 3) stories and descriptions of accordance with the advantage [that Moshiach will [exemplary] conduct in actual deed. innovate] of “bringing the righteous to Praised is the one who merits to fulfill the sending repent/return.” of portions and gifts, in the manner discussed above, That is, the principle elevation of the Future to to the masses… Come is that the righteous will be at the height of a (from a letter of Shushan Purim 5706) penitent (not that the penitent will be at the height of WHY IT’S CALLED ‘PURIM’ AND NOT ‘GORALOS’ the righteous). The latter is necessarily the case according to the Baruch Hashem, well known concept that the soul, prior to its descent, 11 Adar II 5725 was at the level of righteousness, “those who are with …presently it is just a few days before the the king (melech) in his work will reside there,” and as auspicious Days of Purim. [The days leading up to our Sages say on the passage – that “He conferred Purim are considered to be auspicious] especially in (nimlach) with the souls of the righteous.” The light of the words of the Sages in the Mishna, “The Megilla is read (also in the present tense) on the 11th [of Adar], etc., on the 15th.” May it be G-d’s will that every single person – male The principle elevation of the and female alike – among all the Jewish people, read and draw down the Megilla and all related concepts, Future to Come is that the all matters pertaining to Purim. The notion [of righteous will be at the height of a drawing down all matters pertaining to Purim] is expressed in an analysis of the name “Purim,” in the penitent (not that the penitent will plural form, although it is called “Purim on account of the pur (lottery)” [i.e., in the singular form]. The be at the height of the righteous). honorable Rebbe, the Tzemach Tzedek, explains that [the plural form of the name “Purim”] indicates two aspects of lottery. Namely, the lottery of Haman (of descent, of course, is for the sake of a subsequent evil) and “the pur is the goral (lottery)” of holiness. ascent (even while still in this world, invested within a Indeed, “splendid is our lot,” which is beyond reason physical body). Namely, in order to transform and intellect [as a lottery is a means of selecting that darkness to light, the advantage of repentance/return is beyond logic and reason], along the lines of, “‘Very (t’shuva). good’ – that is the Evil Inclination” when it is (Likkutei Sichos Vol 6, pg. 376) transformed to good.

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

of learning, I got a map of the city which was marked with the homes of about thirty children that I had to visit. It was eight o’clock at night LOOKING and we mistakenly figured it would take us an hour and a half to make the rounds. We were quite sure of this estimate since all the children lived within a four block radius FOR A SIGN aside from one family that lived outside the city. The shlucha said that although she had marked this one house on the map, it would be okay if we FROM ABOVE didn’t get to them. If it was late, we could skip them and she would visit By Nosson Avrohom them another time. We packed up all the mishloach manos and Yisroel Meir Rodel (who Until this day I don’t know why we got was in the smicha program and a resident of the city, so he knew lost, whether it was tiredness or the fact fluent Italian) and I left on our mission. that the streets all looked alike... I Each type of shlichus has its assumed this was hashgacha pratis that own flavor. When it entails knocking on doors of people who arranged matters this way and since we don’t know you, it’s a challenge. How will the people react? Will hadn’t had much success earlier on, to they be welcoming or cold? Will we be able to convey a significant say the least, we wouldn’t waste time... message to them? If so, how will they take it? We stood in front of the first Levi Avtzon of Cincinnati lived in the same area, and convey a door with mixed feelings and relates: nice Jewish message to them along knocked. After a long wait with no Two years ago I learned in the with the package. response, we left. At the second smicha program in Milan, Italy Although this did not fulfill any house we were told that the boy we along with about another ten mitzva of Purim, it was important were looking for had gone to sleep bachurim. The special thing about just to maintain contact with the already. At the third, fourth and the program was that in addition to children, most of who came from fifth houses, it was the same story, the high level of learning and the nonobservant homes, and to more or less. Either no one opened demanding tests, we were involved preserve the Jewish spirit they the door or the child was asleep. in reaching out to the Jews of the absorbed in camp. We went to nearly twenty homes city. That day, I was exhausted from and gave very few packages It was Shushan Purim and the work we had done during the personally to the children. Rabbi Sender Wilschansky, who two previous days. The farbrengens We were downcast and I told my runs the program, called me to his and simcha into the night, each friend that we had to hurry and house and said that his wife ran a night, made me reluctant to schlep visit the remaining houses because day camp every summer and during around the city. So I suggested that it was getting late and more and Purim she was unable to send the since it was no longer Purim more children would not be awake. children mishloach manos. She anyway, nothing would happen if With five houses to go, asked that one of the bachurim take we postponed the job for the next something strange happened. Until about thirty packages and deliver day. that point, we had read the map them to the children, most of whom So the next evening, after a day

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  half an hour I stopped and looked leave when his mother asked us to Before I finished at the map, trying to figure out sit down and she offered us some where we were. I didn’t think there drinks and sweets. We exchanged what I was saying, was any point in continuing without some polite small talk and wanted knowing where we were. to leave. We had other things to to my surprise she After closely examining the map, take care of that night and I I saw we had walked away from the couldn’t believe how much time we began to sob. I four blocks where most of the had spent so far. families were and were closer to the The woman, however, wanted to had no idea what home of the one family that we had hear about Purim. I realized she was going on and decided to skip. I assumed this was wanted us to stay on longer and so hashgacha pratis that arranged I told her about Purim, about the what to do. I had matters this way and since we Rebbe and his mivtzaim, including hadn’t had much success earlier on, Mivtza Purim. Even after I finished never been in a to say the least, we wouldn’t waste speaking at length about all this, time on the five remaining names she still wasn’t ready for us to similar situation. on the list. It was late and the leave. She began telling us about children were probably all asleep. I her family and children, family It was something figured we should visit that last stories that weren’t that interesting. you read about in home and end the evening with I told her that the fact that we them. were in her home was hashgacha stories, but this We walked for another ten pratis since we hadn’t planned on minutes and reached the edge of being there but had gotten lost for time I was in the the city and a dark little street. We some inexplicable reason. Before I were exhausted and the building finished what I was saying, to my story! had six floors. The family’s name surprise she began to sob. I had no was Levy but there was no listing of idea what was going on and what to names and apartment numbers. We do. I had never been in a similar and found the houses just fine, but decided to go to the sixth floor and situation. It was something you then we get lost, for no logical work our way down, knocking on read about in stories, but this time I reason. doors and asking for the Levy was in the story! After walking for five minutes family. Fortunately, the door to the Her sixteen-year-old son tried to we realized we were walking in the building was open. calm her but without much success. wrong direction. When we tried There was no response at the He and his brothers remained correcting our mistake and first door on the sixth floor. We standing silently next to her. She returning to the street we had come knocked on door after door and finally quieted down and with tears from, we saw on the map that we went down one flight after another. in her eyes she told us that she was had turned onto the wrong street. For some reason, despite our suffering from one trouble after For nearly ten minutes we walked despair at ever finding them, we another. It began when her this way and that, back and forth, kept going, knowing this was the husband, with whom she had had a going onto dark streets and then final task of the evening. nice life, decided to leave her for no leaving them, walking through the When we arrived at the fourth reason. Her children were alleyways to the main streets. floor, we heard someone calling us traumatized by this and began to When we wanted to return to from the sixth floor. An older get into trouble in school. She was the street we had come from, we woman introduced herself as Mrs. very afraid that they would end up thought we had found it, only to Levy. “Are you from Chabad?” she on the street. discover that we were further than asked. We explained why we had If that wasn’t enough, the before. We were completely come. Since she saw how wiped out separation from her husband had confused and at a loss as to what to we were, she invited us in. led them to the brink of starvation do. Her son was there and we gave since he had been the only Until this day I don’t know why him the belated shalach manos, breadwinner. Now she was left we got lost, whether it was patted him on the back, and said a without a penny and was in debt. tiredness or the fact that the streets few words to him. We were ready to She took a deep breath and said, “I all looked alike. The fact is, after

  A>O1EBFKF #'1 +-1&' !& don’t know how to pray, but I tears of relief. I was very moved by told them in tears not to worry know that I am a Jewish woman what she said. Now I knew why we because once again, Hashem would and when a Jew is in trouble, he had gotten lost in such a strange send them Eliyahu HaNavi as He turns to G-d. This morning, after a manner. did before Rosh HaShana. sleepless night, I prayed to G-d and After she calmed down, I told “I am not an angel,” I told the asked him to help me since I felt her the story about the Jew who woman with a chuckle, “but every that I no longer had the strength to went to the Baal Shem Tov and Jew can be Eliyahu HaNavi, G-d’s go on. I asked Him to give me a asked to see Eliyahu HaNavi. It was messenger, sometimes without their sign that my prayers were heard. Erev Rosh HaShana and the Baal realizing it, in order to help another “When you came to my house I Shem Tov sent him with lots of Jew.” began to think that G-d had food to a poor family on the edge We stayed a while longer and actually sent me a sign, but then I of the city. He arrived at a little hut the conversation revolved around thought that you were planning on in which a widow and her orphans Torah and mitzvos and coming here anyway, as you do lived, and he gave them the food. strengthening one’s Jewish identity, with all the children in the day After Rosh HaShana, he went to especially that of the children. She camp each holiday. So I got into a Mezhibozh and told the Baal Shem was thrilled with our visit. conversation with you in order to Tov that he had carried out the We returned to yeshiva with more hear why you came. Now that you mission but had not seen Eliyahu. of an understanding of the concept tell me that your coming here was a On Erev Yom Kippur, the Baal of hashgacha pratis. Fortunate are surprise for you too, I realize that Shem Tov sent him back to the we that we are Chassidim, and this is in fact the sign that G-d was same family, taking food like the fortunate are we that we walk in the sending me. You are angels. My previous time. Before entering the Rebbe’s light and do his mivtzaim prayer was answered.” hut, he listened in at the door. The and see G-dliness with our own She finished her story with children were pleading with their eyes. many tears, but this time they were mother for food before the fast. She

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what is “Elokecha”? How much have chassidim strived throughout the generations to learn and toil in the understanding of these HOW MANY maamarim? How much effort have chassidim exerted to daven with these maamarim? Did anyone ever once stop himself and ask: “Just a moment, TIMES DID Rabbosai, what’s all the excitement? G-d only said this short sentence once, and you’re already building mountains upon mountains of “intellectual G-D SAY, insights”… THE SH’CHINA SPEAKS FROM ‘ANOCHI...’? MOSHE’S THROAT Getting to the heart of the By Rabbi Zalman Hertzel matter: Translated By Michoel Leib Dobry If the Rebbe said it, it’s absolutely holy – even if he said it only once. Moshe Rabbeinu didn’t say Beis Moshiach Magazine is pleased to things on his own, for “the Sh’china speaks from Moshe’s present the next installment from the throat.” Tzaddikim are compared seifer Shlita by Rabbi Zalman Hertzel, to their Creator. Just as no one casts doubts upon the truth, the discussing the faith of Lubavitcher validity, and the eternity of the Words of G-d, even if they were chassidim in the seventh generation. said on only one occasion, so too we find regarding the words of There’s another charge that My response is also in the the tzaddikim. such people make – and it’s form of a question: This concept of the essence of worse than the first one. While And how many times did G-d the tzaddik, the holiness of his the first had some sincerity to it – say “Anochi Havaya Elokecha” words, etc., is explained in “Where did the Rebbe say that?” (I am Hashem, your G-d)? numerous places, and not just in (as mentioned above) – the See for yourself: There are the texts of Chabad chassidic second one already borders on a several dozens of chassidic philosophy. No need to elaborate lack of honor and respect (to put maamarim explaining these words here, sufficient for the wise. it mildly) for the Rebbe. extensively, including some very (NOTE: It would be appropriate The questioners pose the lengthy “hemshechim.” Each of here to mention again (as brought following: our Rebbeim devoted many hours in the second chapter) the Rebbe’s How many times did the saying, writing, and editing sicha from Shabbos Parshas Rebbe say it? maamarim explaining this matter. Korach 5748 (Hisvaaduyos Once is not enough; it’s not A sizable quantity of specific B’Lashon HaKodesh 5748, Vol. 3, yet for certain. So what proof do elucidations have been brought to pg. 554): “And we most certainly you want to bring from the fact explain the exact meaning of learn from this how much we must that the Rebbe said something these three words: What is be precise in the words of my only once? “Anochi,” what is “Havaya,” and revered teacher and father-in-law,

  A>O1EBFKF #'1 +-1&' !& the Rebbe, leader of the haggling with his words and no these words, saying” (the pasuk generation, in every detail. This learning of different before ‘Anochi Havaya is needless to say regarding his interpretations (“kein p’shatim Elokecha’), which makes it clear teachings, his maamarim, and v’al achas kama v’chama nisht that even something that is said sichos, in the literal sense, but kein p’shetlach”). only once comes after much even regarding talk on the level of When the Rebbe says the title thought and consideration: “mundane conversation,” “Shlita” regarding the Rebbe Regarding the fact that it is relatively speaking. We must be Rayatz, after his passing, even if first written, “Then He saw and precise in every detail, including it was only on one occasion counted it, prepared it, even even something that was (NOTE: The Rebbe is known to searched it out,” and seemingly said in an incidental have said “Shlita” or “zol gezunt afterwards, “And He said to manner, during a trip and the zain” at least eleven times after man” (Iyov 28:27-28), Torah like. We must be precise and learn teaches you from this that something from every single [even] if you are a Torah word.) scholar, don’t be so boorish as In the framework of this to say something in public discussion, we will settle for a before you have completely brief quote from the sicha of worked it out by yourself two or Shabbos Parshas R’ei 5729 three times. Once, the chazan (Sichos Kodesh 5729, Vol. 2, pg. called R. Akiva to read from the 423): Torah and he didn’t want to go When there is an instruction up. His students asked him, from the “extension of Moshe in “Our master, didn’t you teach every generation,” even the us, ‘It is your life and your leader of the generation, we length of days’ – why did you must know that it is exactly as refrain from going up?” He it was heard from G-d Himself. said, “[I swear by] the [holy] Since he has spoken the Word of service – the only reason I G-d, and His Word is upon his refrained from going up is tongue, and He revealed His because I didn’t prepare the words through His servants, the portion two or three times, for it Prophets, therefore, one must is forbidden for anyone to say receive this exactly as it was words of Torah in public before heard from the Mouth of G-d. he has worked it out two or It makes no difference if he three times by himself. For thus gives over the source of his we find with regard to G-d, words or not. The matter is Yud Shvat 5710. No need to Who gives power to His clear – he has spoken the Word elaborate.) – it is holy, it is true, creatures to speak and the entire of G-d. it is in force and eternal. No one Torah is revealed to Him like a Furthermore, according to has been able to detract from the single star, and [yet] when He what is explained in Igeres truth of the matter, for “it is came to give it to Israel it is HaKodesh that if we would hear clear that he has spoken the written: ‘Then He saw it and from the Mouth of G-d Himself Word of G-d.” (NOTE: More counted it, prepared it , even in all His glory, we would carry lengthy discussion on the title searched it out,’ and afterwards, it out with the utmost precision, “Shlita” to come in the later ‘And He said to man, etc.’ And so too here. We must carry out chapters.) thus it is written, ‘And G-d the words in the fullest detail spoke all of these things’ – to without any excuses on the “HE PREPARED IT AND Himself, and afterwards ‘to say’ matter. (And as the later Sages SEARCHED IT OUT” [to others].” (NOTE: See also have brought, the word Tanchuma VaYakhel 4: “Rabbi “amasla” (excuse) is comprised In this connection, it would be Acha and our Rabbis. Our Rabbis of two words – ‘emes’ (truth), appropriate to quote from the say: Say the matter twice to ‘lo’ (no). There can be no Midrash (Tanchuma, Yisro 15) on oneself, and afterwards say to the pasuk ,“And G-d spoke all of

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  Israel…and Rabbi Acha says that he would say each utterance four It is generally times, and afterwards say it to Israel,” among other opinions in understood that Torah sources on the number of times.) even words that We have also found how the Rebbe has explicitly related to the Rebbe stated this matter. In a letter from 5717, publicly only once the Rebbe shlita writes about the necessity for precise editing were in his (printed in Yechi HaMelech, Issue 371, pg. 11): thoughts many ...he would review it again and again. Indeed, there is the times, and this well known teaching of our Sages, of blessed memory, that surely applies before we say [something] when he sets them publicly, we must review the matter four or five times, all the in writing for this more so when we set it in writing for the public. purpose. This makes it easier to realize the precision and accuracy of the ohel u’kayotze bo” (regarding proper here to adopt what R. Rebbe shlita’s holy words. It is what I have to say or what I don’t Zusha the Partizan said (as generally understood that even …there is a Shulchan Aruch …I mentioned earlier) regarding the words that were stated publicly only have the Shulchan Aruch and mode of conduct for the only once were in his holy I go to the Ohel, etc.)) chassidim. With G-d’s help, we thoughts many times, and this However, there are apparently will attempt to clarify this matter surely applies when he sets them many readers crying out with a as well, but first we will conclude in writing for this purpose. question: But hasn’t the Rebbe (briefly, at least) our explanation (NOTE: On Shabbos Parshas also said things in a different of the innovation made in recent Pinchas 5745, the Rebbe shlita way, and aren’t they also true and years. spoke about himself in rather eternal, etc.? In the next chapter, G-d unusual terms (printed in 5759 as Indeed, this is quite true. willing, we will spend some time a t’shura by the Wolf family): However, since we are not at a describing the manner in which “Vegn vahs ich darf redn un vahs questions and answers evening, chassidim carried out the Rebbe’s nisht…iz da a Shulchan but we are trying to clarify a instructions, after absorbing the Aruch…ich hahb nahr der specific concept, it would be farbrengen atmosphere. Shulchan Aruch un ich fahr tzum Y.S. MOVING Professional Yossi Reasonable Tel: 718-467-0171 24 hour service Boxes available upon request. Cellular: 917-805-7757

  A>O1EBFKF #'1 +-1&' !& FKPFDEQ L’CHAIM!

The following is a brief compilation about the Chassidic approach to drinking mashke on Purim and at farbrengens in general.

L’CHAIM V’LIVRACHA! A SMALL CUP One of the features of Purim is The Rebbe’s g’zeira (decree) is drinking alcoholic beverages. The known – that until age 40, one is Rebbe Rayatz once said in a sicha not to drink more than three (or that Chassidim farbreng with some four) little schnapps cups. The mashke, however, mashke in and Rebbe said: of itself ought to be something “The drinking should be only cup everything that needs to be that Chassidim shun. to fulfill one’s obligation. done through drinking.” The mashke at farbrengens Therefore, one should not take serves a purpose, which is to soak more than part of a small cup, not THE DECREE the skin, just like giving the animal even half a cup, and certainly not ON MASHKE to drink before sh’chita, which is a large cup … Since this is the The Rebbe opposed taking to facilitate the later removal of directive of our Rebbeim, certainly copious mashke and gave strict the hide. With a little bit of they will accomplish with the small mashke, a Chassid removes the skin which conceals the truth and he softens the animal hide of the natural soul. (Likkutei Dibburim vol. 4)

DRINKING TOGETHER DRAWS PEOPLE CLOSER Why is mashke taken at a farbrengen? The Rebbe explains: This is emphasized by Chazal when they say “great is drinking for it draws close.” In other words, by associating the farbrengen with drinking, what you accomplish is kiruv. This does not mean a lot of drinking. The chiddush is that even when the drinking is minimal, it nevertheless can have the effect of “great is drinking…” (Hisvaaduyos 5745 vol. 2)

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  guidelines about it. At one farbrengen the Rebbe said: Only regarding one day a year, Purim, I don’t want to mix in and this is for two reasons: 1) since Purim one needs to attain the level of “until one does not know…” Certainly, when they are on this level, there won’t be the “knowledge” of the Evil Inclination to convince him to take mashke. 2) Most importantly, since Moshiach will probably come by Purim, at which time it will be “kulo mashke.” (Shmini 5723)

FORTUNATE IS THE LOT In 5749 the Rebbe said: …not like those who fulfill their obligation of “ad d’lo yada” by sleeping (as is brought in Shulchan Aruch) but fulfilling the mitzva of “drinking, etc., until not knowing…” literally (without according to the limitations of THE PARABLE looking for leniencies and Toras HaChassidus. There is no OF MASHKE compromises and the like). need to expand on this since this Chassidim relate a parable Indeed, fortunate is his lot and is known and famous and in print. associated with the Baal Shem Tov great is his merit, and may it be (Sicha Tetzaveh Shabbos Zachor 5750) that people see him and learn from which explains the inyan of him. mashke: (Hisvaaduyos 5749 vol. 2) A TIKKUN FOR A prince was sent by his father DRINKING VODKA to a distant country whose people WITH LIMITATIONS, ON PURIM were lowly. One day he received a letter from his father the king. The A Chassid related: ESPECIALLY FOR prince rejoiced and wanted to On 27 Sivan 5737 I had TALMIDIM dance but he was afraid people yechidus with the Rebbe and I would think he was crazy. So he [When the Rebbe spoke about asked about drinking more than I provided the simple local people having farbrengens on Purim he should have, whether the decree with alcoholic drinks and when said:] Note, the intention is not also applied to Purim, and if so, they danced in their inebriated only about the Purim feast, which what was my tikkun (rectification) state, he joined them and danced needs to be at a specific time, and for this? with joy over the letter he had according to the Rambam one is The Rebbe said: received. required to eat a meat at this meal Regarding your question about The prince is the G-dly soul (and not only drink wine), but the decree about mashke, the that wants to rejoice on Shabbos also regarding the farbrengens takana (decree) is in force, or Yom Tov, but the physical body during the 24-hour period of including Purim and Simchas impedes it. So the body is given Purim, with simcha in a way of Torah. Since you wrote that you mashke to drink and this enables “ad d’lo yada,” but with transgressed the decree, the tikkun the G-dly soul to reveal its longing limitations, etc., especially for for this is to try and influence two for G-d. talmidim, and along these lines for or more, who still do not abide by all Jews, as was mentioned a the takana, to fulfill the takana. Artwork by Zalman Kleinman number of times, it must be

  A>O1EBFKF #'1 +-1&' !& CB>QROB A MOSHIACH SHIUR THAT SPARKED A REVOLUTION

By Nosson Avrohom

Doctors, economists, and celebrities convene every Friday in the Chabad yeshiva in Ramat Aviv for a shiur in the weekly D’var Malchus (the Sichos from the years 5751/5752) given by the rosh yeshiva, Rabbi Yossi Ginsburgh. * Beis Moshiach’s Nosson Avrohom joined one of these shiurim and spoke with four participants who told us about how they got involved with Chabad and why they won’t miss this shiur.

Friday morning at the Chabad attentive faces say it all. pertain to a certain type of person, yeshiva in Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv: I went there a few weeks ago in perhaps those with a strong Businessmen and various order to see this wonder for background of simple faith, they professionals, economists and myself. The concept of “living with are welcome to come to the yeshiva actors attend the weekly shiur on Moshiach” applies to every Jew; it in Ramat Aviv. They will see that it the D’var Malchus given by rosh makes no difference what his is possible to convey the deepest yeshiva, Rabbi Yossi Ginsburgh. income bracket is. If someone and most sensitive inyanim b’ofen Many of them take notes. Their thought that the Rebbe’s sichos ha’miskabel (so that people can

  A>O1EBFKF #'1 +-1&' !& relate to it). yeshiva’s big supporters, Mr. Kahana, the menahel of the yeshiva “There are businessmen who Michoel Mittelman, in memory of told me, “Nearly a hundred people opposed Chabad’s work here in the his father, who was a big are regular participants.” past who have become baalei industrialist in Israel and prior to The day I attended the shiur t’shuva,” said Rabbi Chaim Elroi, that, the head of the Jewish one of the regulars and active the director of outreach. community in Uruguay. At first, members of the shiur, Mr. Chaim The weekly shiur was started only a few businessmen attended Almani, was celebrating his four years ago by one of the the shiur. Now, Rabbi Meir birthday. Almani has volunteered to

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  my absence. I discussed this with “Words from the Rabbi Ginsburgh and now I am heart enter the responsible to be the contact person between the shiur-goers. I heart, and when have their names and addresses and this way, attention is given to the person giving all.” Mr. Nissan Katzavi is a shiur the shiur lives participant and a businessman in the alarm business. Two of his sons what he is have become Lubavitchers. One of teaching, there is his sons is a shliach in Ramat Johannesburg. HaSharon. It was fascinating to “Rabbi Ginsburgh connected no reason that hear from him how he switched me with Rabbi Motti Sabon and we from being an outspoken opponent began learning together. the message won’t of Chabad to an admirer. The Chassidus, especially the D’var weekly shiur in D’var Malchus gets Malchus, is just incredible. be accepted,” some of the credit. “When I first became The two other men are Mr. acquainted with Chabad in Ramat explains R’ Chaim Moshe, a well-known public Aviv, one of my grandsons needed Chaim Elroi. figure in the Israeli entertainment a complicated operation. The industry, and Mr. Yitzchok entire family was worried about Bareket, a senior who was and still how it would turn out. When I told take care of the logistical details of is one of the most famous actors in R’ Sabon, he suggested that I write the shiur. the Israeli movie industry. Each of to the Rebbe through the Igros Rabbi Yossi Ginsburgh sat at them told me about their first Kodesh. When he explained to me the head of the table and spoke for connection to Chabad and with the how people do it, I thought he was two hours, explaining the sicha of Rebbe, and about what they find crazy. I was just not ready to hear VaYechi, which is about the life of special in the weekly shiur. about such a thing. But since I was the Nasi HaDor in the past and * * * under pressure, I did so anyway. present. I looked around and was The answer blew me away. The Almani first encountered surprised to see the lack of Rebbe wrote that he should enter Chabad when he lived in surprise on the part of the the hospital in peace and leave it in Johannesburg and marketed dry participants. peace, which is precisely what fruits. He would occasionally go to “Words from the heart enter the happened.” Chabad shuls, among them Rabbi heart, and when the person giving When Almani tells the following Yossi Goldman’s shul, where he the shiur lives what he is teaching, story, he can’t help but cry. This is would hear shiurim. After twenty there is no reason that the message when he first experienced the years abroad, the family returned won’t be accepted,” explains R’ power of the Rebbe: to Eretz Yisroel because their Chaim Elroi. “A few months after we moved oldest son was drafted. They When the shiur was over, four back to Eretz Yisroel, my wife and moved to Ramat Aviv, where he participants and I remained in the brother-in-law and I went on a trip looked in vain for the kind of yeshiva office so I could hear what to the US. Our first stop was New Jewish atmosphere he had it is that brings them back week York and then Los Angeles. I told previously enjoyed: “I come from a after week. my family that on the first day we religious home with deep roots and Chaim Almani is a well-known were going to 770. It was a very I was looking for the depth I found broker in northern Tel Aviv and rainy Friday and our lack of in the shiurim in Johannesburg. I this past year he has taken it upon familiarity with New York had us didn’t find it until I went to the himself to be the contact person lost on the buses and trains until Chabad yeshiva in Ramat Aviv. for the shiur-goers. we got there. We were impressed Rabbi Yossi warmly welcomed me. “It started when I went on a by 770 and we took the I began attending shiurim and business trip and had to miss the opportunity to write to the Rebbe. found the same depth and Jewish shiur. When I came back, I “Nobody told the other what beauty I had experienced in realized that nobody had noticed they had written. I wrote about my

  A>O1EBFKF #'1 +-1&' !& son who was about to get married morning he told his fiancée that who sees the whole picture and has but I didn’t think it was a good their wedding was cancelled. He solutions. match. Most of my son’s friends told us all this and said that he “The fact is that we sit and felt the same way. I wrote, ‘Rebbe, now realized that this step was the connect to the message and find if this is a match made in heaven, right one, one reason being that he ourselves drawn to it. I find it it should be a happy one, and if was closer to Judaism and she was fulfilling. Every week I write down not, then they should end it at the entirely estranged from it. key points from the shiur and I earliest opportunity.’ “I couldn’t believe it. The email it to my entire address book. “When we finished davening, dream he had took place precisely I get countless responses. People in we took the subway to our hotel in at the time that I had written my our confused world are thirsty for letter in 770!” talk about Geula and the Rebbe’s If you met Mr. Almani on the encouragement. The Rebbe takes street, you would not realize that situations that are seemingly lost he was closely connected to the causes and explains how in their Rebbe MH”M. He wears a knitted source they are very lofty and they kippa and doesn’t look like a are part of the Geula process. I Chassid. No wonder then that his leave every shiur with a message friends were taken aback when he that guides me throughout the changed the logo of his brokerage week.” company to include a picture of We, who were born into 770 in New York. Chassidic homes and learned in I asked him about the Friday Tomchei T’mimim, don’t always shiur and he responded: see things as clearly as Chaim Manhattan. A few days later we “Rabbi Yossi speaks in beautiful Almani does! flew to Los Angeles. One day, our Ivrit and explains things well. Even The second person I spoke to daughter told us by phone that our if someone is coming for the first was Nissan Katzavi, manager of a son had changed his mind about time, he will find it interesting. He company that installs alarm getting married and had broken up may not understand the whole systems. His involvement with with the girl. We were surprised thing, but at least he will leave with Chassidus took off this past year and when we returned home he an insight or two. Each class after his son, Ziv, now a shliach in was waiting in the airport for us to includes a practical lesson and a Ramat HaSharon, preceded him by take us home. Before we brought number of fascinating aphorisms, a few years and swept his brother up the topic he told us what had and we all leave with food for Elisha along with him. Elisha now happened. thought about how to live a better learns in 770. Nissan’s connection “He had gone to bed Friday life – not only when Moshiach to the Rebbe is to a large part due night but he woke up a short while comes, but right now. To the best to R’ Ginsburgh’s shiurim: later from a nightmare in which he of my knowledge, that is what the “I first became familiar with the saw himself being brought to a Rebbe wants us to do: to live with Chabad movement and the Rebbe wedding as all his friends stood on the Geula, now. through my son, Ziv. I was a the sidelines and shouted at him “We asked R’ Yossi to give the traditional Jew who didn’t take on not to get married. He tried to stop shiur twice a week. We always look too many religious customs. This them from their craziness but their forward to it. The Rebbe’s was the case after I married too. faces were sad. When he woke up teachings give hope as well as the When my son Ziv was fourteen he washed his face and told himself proper state of mind to carry on in years old, he went on a trip to it was only a dream and went back our crazy world. It’s not surprising Milan for a month and became to bed. The strange dream that we businessmen, who are so extremely interested in Judaism. repeated itself in Technicolor. He busy, come to the shiur and shut When he returned to Eretz Yisroel, could make out the faces of his off our cell phones. Many of us he began looking for more friends and even the hall where he don’t fully understand the logic in information about it. and his bride had planned on the Rebbe’s talks about Geula, but “When we prayed, we did so in marrying. his incredible vision about what we the neighborhood shul, where the “He thought it over and decided are undergoing strengthens us and congregants are religious Zionists. the dream was significant. In the gives us faith that there is someone I didn’t understand why Ziv wasn’t

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  have against Chabad? The Chabad When he heard of movement is wonderful and there’s nothing like it in the Jewish world.’ our plight, he He told us that on his travels, didn’t understand when he wanted to eat kosher, he was helped a lot by Chabad houses what the problem around the world. “Ziv finished his army service, was. ‘What do you married, and moved to Ramat HaSharon, where he became one have against of the activists there.” Today, Nissan Katzavi in an to me that despite all the effort, he Chabad? The active member of the shul in the wouldn’t be able to eat that food. Chabad movement exclusive Ramat Aviv Gimmel This was just too much for me. I neighborhood, run by the Rebbe’s couldn’t take it anymore. I had is wonderful and shluchim, Rabbi Shneur Zalman done so much to ensure that all Chaviv, Rabbi Alon Dvir, Rabbi would be well. there’s nothing Efraim Marzel, and Rabbi Shneur “Ziv knew I was upset and till Schneerson. His former opposition today I admire him for his tenacity, like it in the to Chabad has turned into great for sticking to what he believed. love. In the past half a year he He took out a volume of Igros Jewish world.’ began regularly attending the shiur Kodesh that he had brought with in D’var Malchus. It helps him him and opened it. Believe it or satisfied with that. When he got to understand why his son Ziv made not, the answer on the page had to know Rabbi Ginsburgh (whose the decision he made several years do with eating, where the Rebbe work in the neighborhood was in ago. wrote that ‘if there is no physical its infancy), he was captivated by When I asked Nissan about his food and drink, you can do things his personality and began to attend connection to the Rebbe, he said: on the spiritual plane.’ It was a shiurim. “The entire family once went on long letter and I couldn’t deny the “We, his parents, looked vacation to my daughter who lives amazing hashgacha pratis in it. askance at how our dear son was in Milan. We were going to “There was another serious turning into a ‘black’ religious Jew. celebrate the Chanukas HaBayis situation in which my daughter-in- We were dismayed and I felt that for her new house. It was hard for law was pregnant with her second my son was being taken away from me to accept that Ziv would not child and the doctors discovered me. We took him to a psychologist eat with us because of reasons of that the fetus had severe who was formerly religious. kashrus. I decided to go all out to respiratory problems. The doctor “The psychologist said he knew find kosher food that we could eat recommended an abortion. They all about this world our son had together. wrote to the Rebbe and the answer fallen into and he would get him “It was summertime and hot, was about the importance of out. However, our son’s desire to but we went to look for kosher preserving life in Eretz Yisroel. become a Chassid was far stronger food and we found it. I got home “That was enough for them to than anything the psychologist before Shabbos, feeling exhausted decide to go on with the could tell him. We were besides but happy that we could eat pregnancy. They didn’t tell us ourselves when after Purim, Ziv together. Before we left for shul, about it, so as not to worry us. started wearing a suit and hat. we put the food on the hotplate. I They went to a top doctor, who That was a difficult time for us. looked forward to the entire family, negated the earlier diagnosis. Now we see it as, ‘ashreinu ma tov with all the children, spending Today, we have a healthy grandson chelkeinu,’ but back then we saw it Shabbos and eating together. whose name is Menachem differently. “When we returned from shul, Mendel,” concluded Mr. Katzavi “One day we hosted a couple. Ziv heard someone say that not proudly. The husband traveled a lot on realizing it he had moved the food Mr. Katzavi is a relative business. When he heard of our from the hotplate and then newcomer to the shiurim. Up until plight, he didn’t understand what returned it there. Ziv began hinting a few months ago he still didn’t the problem was. ‘What do you daven in Chabad, but when his

  A>O1EBFKF #'1 +-1&' !& father died, he decided to start Torah, that amazed me. I admired in the fact that I am a Jew without davening in the Chabad shul, him. I quickly understood that this fulfilling the harder parts of Torah joining the six o’clock t’fillos every is not an isolated occurrence; it is and mitzvos. Today I understand day. One of the businessmen in the part of a larger movement run by that Torah and mitzvos are part of neighborhood who is close to the Rebbe, a movement which our existence; the Torah teaches us Chabad, Mr. Amos Barzilai, asked stands for Ahavas Yisroel. I heard how to lead our lives, and not only him to stay for the shiur in D’var about this shiur and I was curious while we study Torah. I learned Malchus, promising that it would about it. Since I tried it out the this and internalized it mainly in be interesting. Katzavi delayed first time, I am a regular. the D’var Malchus classes. Rabbi going to work to try it out and was “I come from the world of the Ginsburgh knows how to convey hooked. Now he is there, every ‘high life’ and it looks as though I the Rebbe’s teachings, things that have it all, but in all the pleasures are hard to understand, in a way of this world, I did not find the that even those who did not learn true meaning in life. The search for Torah previously can get it. something more real, led to my “Now, after learning Torah for crisis, one which the media a while, it is easier for me to covered at length. I felt that I was understand things, but there are going in circles and was many people who are first starting unsuccessful in getting to the truth out and it’s not easy to know how in my life. to convey deep ideas so that people “I am a Jew, but what does that can understand them. R’ mean? I have theory that says that Ginsburgh manages to accomplish some of us took the word ‘Jew” this feat. Friday. from our parents, without taking “I cannot rationally explain my “These aren’t light classes. the true significance along with it. connection to the D’var Malchus. D’var Malchus is deep, fascinating. There is a famous Israeli song, The source of it is something like Even for someone with a Torah ‘Rina got an apple and a flower; the spiritual illumination a person background, these shiurim will be a she took the apple and threw away experiences that causes him to do bit heavy. I’m not saying I the flower.’ That’s the case with t’shuva. These concepts of Geula, understand everything that is said, us. We throw away the Torah and their connection to our actions and but I can say that it provides mitzvos and enjoy the apple, the avoda in the world, are not insight and hope.” Jewish brain. rational, but things you experience Some celebrities attend the “For too many years I went on a p’nimius level. shiur too. Each one has a story around with the feeling that this “If you look around you about how he first got acquainted was not right. I couldn’t take pride understand that there is no future with Chabad and the Rebbe. Chaim Moshe was and still is a media celebrity regularly hounded by the paparazzi. Nearly a year has passed since he first learned about p’nimius ha’Torah, especially as it is explicated in the Rebbe’s teachings. His first connection to the Rebbe came about when he met Rabbi Yehuda Sheleg in the shul in his neighborhood, who walked great distances in order to run the show there and speak. “Rabbi Sheleg’s patience and devotion won me over. To come from so far every Shabbos, to leave his family in order to run our makeshift shul and tell us a d’var

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  the theater by bus, a distinguished class.” The day I went to looking Jew sat next to me. He As mentioned earlier, Chaim greeted me and asked me why I Almani took responsibility to keep sit in on the shiur, looked despondent. I told him that track of those who attend the shiur which was my father had died a month before and to keep people connected even and I had loved him dearly. I beyond the shiur. He sees to the Almani’s birthday, remember it as though it was “maaseh b’poel,” that the today, on the number 25 bus from wonderful things they learn don’t he had Ronen King George Street to Ramat Aviv. remain in the realm of theory and “He asked me if I had put on as passing inspiration, but “come Albar perform. He t’fillin that day and I said I had down” into the real world. not. When he asked me why, I told When I asked Almani for got everybody up him that I did not have t’fillin. He examples of what he does, he said, and dancing with asked me whether I wanted to put “I make sure that as many shiur- on t’fillin and I said that I did, but goers as possible come for Kaparos the simcha of I did not have the means to buy the morning of Erev Yom Kippur. them. He was a Jew from an earlier We invite the shiur-goers to an Torah and the generation, caring and warm, and array of programs that take place he said that he would buy t’fillin at the yeshiva beyond the shiur. simcha of the for me if I promised to put them “Every day of Sukkos I host on, and when I earned money I another group of mekuravim and D’var Malchus. could pay him back. friends. One of these days is “He brought me t’fillin the next dedicated to the talmidim of the here for us. We are living in an morning. When he came to my yeshiva who did not go to 770. utterly temporary state of being. house he saw that I had a mezuza This year, I learned the sicha about The deterioration of the youth is only on the front door. He said the importance of every one of the catastrophic. The only thing that that that wasn’t enough and that all four minim and about the special gives us hope is what the Rebbe the doorways needed mezuzos. quality of the esrog. I thought all says in the D’var Malchus, the Within a few days he had returned the participants in the shiur needed connection to p’nimius ha’Torah, with mezuzos for the other rooms. to know this and I did it in a to the fact that we are closer than Since then, I have kept my word creative way. any previous generation to the and I put on t’fillin every day. I “I got lots of leftover esrogim Geula. This gives us hope to soon learned that the man I had from Luria’s esrog orchard and believe that it will soon be good.” met was a Chabad Chassid. made jam out of them. I bought Mr. Yitzchok Bareket is a well- “I recently heard about this jars and gave them out to all the known figure in the Israeli theater shiur given by R’ Ginsburgh and shiur participants and I explained and entertainment industry. For the first time I tried it, I was very the importance of the esrog.” many years he acted in HaBima in impressed. He is blessed with a Almani also ensures that the hundreds of plays and hundreds of superb ability to communicate. He shiurim are colorful experiences. R’ movies. For a few years he even has a fascinating style. I believe Ginsburgh taught the sicha about served as general secretary of the with all my heart in the coming of the importance of simcha which Israeli actors union. At his Moshiach, and even though he brings the Geula and as a result, advanced age, he continues to take tarries, I await him. every so often, Almani brings part in plays and movies. Since his “I’d like to say a few words Chassidishe musicians to perform father’s death a few decades ago, about the yeshiva. The Chabad before and after the shiur. he began searching for the way yeshiva in Ramat Aviv is unique, a The day I went to sit in on the back to his roots, but in recent warm and wonderful place, just as shiur, which was Almani’s months he discovered Chassidus. I remember my childhood in a birthday, he had Ronen Albar “My connection to Chabad town in Romania. It’s been only perform. He got everybody up and began thirty years ago, when I was two months now since I have dancing with the simcha of Torah an actor busy at the HaBima begun attending the shiur, but I and the simcha of the D’var theater. My father died and his already know that I will do what I Malchus. passing saddened me greatly. One can to ensure that I don’t miss a time, when I returned home from

  A>O1EBFKF #'1 +-1&' !& MROFJ

“light,” while “Kush” means “black,” the opposite of light. The name of a country reflects the character of the people who live there. The residents THESE DAYS of Hodu and Kush had opposite character traits, with those in Hodu having fine character and those in Kush having negative character traits. OF PURIM This demonstrates Achashverosh’s greatness that he Compiled by Shneur Zalman Levin ruled the entire world, “from Hodu till Kush.” Despite the different types of people and their diverging A compilation of brief statements natures, he was able to relate to all kinds of people. about Purim from the teachings of the (Hisvaaduyos 5744) Rebbe MH”M. AND MORDECHAI SAT THE MIRACLES Namely, there were a series of IN THE KING’S GATE OF PURIM occurrences that led towards the Mordechai’s primary occupation miracle of Purim. was to sit in the “gate of the king,” The miracles of Purim were (Hisvaaduyos 5747) i.e. “the King of the world.” His miracles disguised in nature. Esther avoda was to make a dwelling place HaMalka and Mordechai sitting in 127 COUNTRIES for Hashem in this world, the king’s gate saved the king’s life, throughout the world, “from Hodu as the Megilla describes. Why does the Megilla tell us till Kush.” This in turn manifested In Chassidus it says that about Achashverosh’s greatness that itself in this physical world where specifically on the lowest level is his kingdom encompassed the lands Mordechai sat in the king’s gate, in where the highest level is expressed. between Hodu and Kush, 127 a position from which he was able to That’s the way it is with miracles – counties in all? The main story influence the world. that miracles disguised in nature begins after that, with Haman’s (Hisvaaduyos 5744) have a source in a higher light, one presentation of his plan to the king? that cannot be revealed. And since it The answer is that cannot be revealed, it must be Achashverosh’s greatness lets us TOGETHER WITH hidden within nature. know what a dangerous position the EVERYONE (Likkutei Sichos 15) Jewish people were in. It was only in Mordechai himself did not have a kingdom like that of Achashverosh, to fear Haman’s decree because it MEGILLA – REVELATION who ruled the entire known world at was aimed at the rest of the Jewish the time, that a plan to “exterminate, people and not him. Since he “sat in When the events which led to the kill, and annihilate all the Jews” the king’s gate” he could surely have salvation of the Jewish people could be carried out, since they were been saved, especially since he was occurred, people did not realize at all under one authority. If he hadn’t Esther’s uncle. the time that they were leading up to ruled the entire world, the Jews in Nevertheless, Mordechai told the miracle. It was only afterwards other places, not under his reign, Hasach “everything that happened that it was possible to connect the would have been saved. to him,” with the feeling that dots and see it as the miraculous (Hisvaaduyos 5744) Haman’s decree applied to him too, story it was. for even if it happened to another It was only after it was written Jew, he felt as though it was down in a Megilla that the FROM HODU TILL KUSH happening to him. connection between all the events It is explained in Chassidus that (Hisvaaduyos 5745) was revealed (the root of the word “Hodu” is from the root that means “Megilla” meaning revealed). “thanks,” “majesty,” “beauty” and

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  THE RIGHT DAY the Jewish people had to donate to in order to rectify their previous sin. Although the victory was on the the Beis HaMikdash].” However, Esther who had th When Haman wanted to withstood the difficult trials in the 13 of Adar, Purim was not annihilate the Jewish people, the king’s palace and had refrained from established on that date but on the Jewish people’s response was to all the delicacies in the palace, knew following day, the day they rested gather together, as it says, “go and that a fast should be decreed for all after the battle. The reason is that gather all the Jews.” How can the the Jews, even those who had Purim was established as a holiday Jewish people be united to be enjoyed the king’s feast. That is why because of the salvation of the properly inspired? This is she said to gather all the Jews, with Jewish people, while the victory in accomplished by laying down the no exceptions. battle was not significant. On foundation of the Beis HaMikdash (Based on the Sicha of Ki Sisa 5731) Chanuka however, the victory in war that exists within the heart of every was a part of the miracle and a single Jew, “the pintele Yid.” ROYAL CLOTHES reason to establish the holiday, (Likkutei Sichos 21) which is why Chanuka is celebrated “Let royal clothes be brought, on the day of their victory. which the king has worn, and a (Likkutei Sichos 30) AND THEIR horse that the king rode upon and POSSESSIONS TO BE which had the royal crown placed THE MONTH OF JOY PLUNDERED upon its head.” This verse alludes to the Jewish soul, indicating that it Why is it “when Adar comes in, After the Megilla tells us about Haman’s plot “to exterminate, kill, should wear the royal garments that we increase in joy”? Shouldn’t we the king wore, referring to the King, rejoice from the day of the miracle and annihilate all the Jews, from young to old, babies and women,” Hashem, and alluding to the on the 13th of Adar? why do we need to know “and their performance of Mitzvos. The explanation is that in the possessions to be plundered,” that The horse that the King, Hashem, month of Adar the miracles were the murderers will also rob them? rode upon, alludes to the letters of multiplied and also because in this According to the din, “those who the Torah, similar to a horse that month there is a “meritorious day,” are executed by the king, their carries the rider to a distant place, as th the 7 of Adar, when Moshe possessions belong to the king.” it says regarding Mattan Torah, Rabbeinu was born. Haman was afraid that the common “When You ride upon Your horse, That is why it says, “and the man would not want to kill the Jews Your chariot is salvation.” The crown month which was transformed for because they wouldn’t profit thereby on the head is atzmus u’mehus ein them from sorrow to joy” – since the since the Jews’ possessions would go sof baruch Hu, Who invested Himself miracle of Purim did not begin on to the king. So Haman let the people into the Torah. (Based on the Sicha of Purim 5716) the 13th. Back at the beginning of know that in this case, they could the decree, the miracle was prepared have the Jews’ belongings, in order for them when the lottery fell on the to spur them on to butcher the Jews. PURIM – PUR month of Adar, the month with this This is why we mention this point in Purim is named for the “pur,” a special day in it. “Al HaNissim.” Persian word for “lottery,” as (Likkutei Sichos 16) (Sicha of Purim 5733) opposed to the Hebrew word, “goral.” This teaches us that the COMMON GATHER ALL THE JEWS conduct of the Jewish people is DENOMINATOR Queen Esther asked Mordechai above the laws of nature – not only to “go and gather all the Jews who in spiritual matters but in daily life. It says in the Gemara, “it was Even when interacting with the open and known before He Who are in Shushan and fast for me.” Mordechai did not think it was non-Jew, we are above the rules of said and the world came into being nature. This is alluded to in the that in the future Haman would necessary to gather all the Jews, especially those who had enjoyed name “Purim” as a Persian word. It weigh out shekel coins for the Jewish emphasizes that even when a Jew is people. Therefore, their [the Jewish Achashverosh’s feast and who would find it particularly hard to endure involved in matters of this world (the people’s] shekels preceded his; and Hebrew name of Persia is “Paras,” this is what we learn in the Mishna: such a grueling three-day fast. He felt that the main thing was to which literally means a “fragment” On the first of Adar they announce and alludes to the pleasures of this about the sh’kalim [the sh’kalim that convince them to at least eat according to the laws of the Torah, world), he is still above nature.

  A>O1EBFKF #'1 +-1&' !& ?LLHOOBSFBT ‘WORDS OF THE LIVING G-D’ IN LIVING ENGLISH

translations? Never before has such a large number or Rav Gafni: I think the such a high quality of maamarim been translation is remarkably accurate. The goal of good translation should translated into English. Twenty-four be to render each sentence fluently according to the language you are maamarim about the holidays from the translating into. That is, in my opinion, Rabbi Rothschild’s Rebbe Shlita, Alter Rebbe, Tzemach remarkable achievement. He was able to adjust sentences to turn Tzedek, and the Rebbe Rashab appear them into “living English” without in a two-volume set entitled Holiday impinging at all on the messages they contained. This is the case Maamarim, and readers worldwide are throughout the books. In the Rebbe Rashab’s acclaiming it as “phenomenal.” * Beis maamarim, for example, attaining such fluency is a very demanding Moshiach interviews the gaon and task. A thorough understanding on the part of the translator is only the Chassid Rav Shneur Zalman Gafni, first requirement. What is truly Rosh Yeshiva of Ohr Tmimim about this remarkable here is the massive number of profound maamarim historic publication. dealt with, texts which I call classic haskala style. There is a famous footnote from the Rebbe in Beis Moshiach: Rabbi Gafni, all of the Rebbe Rashab ones and a reference to translations in Likkutei what was your involvement in this few of the others – and found a Sichos volume 4. The Rebbe, with project? remarkable adherence to the his unbelievable mind, quotes the Rav Gafni: I carefully examined original texts, combined with an translator’s introduction to quite a few of the texts translated by ability to make it real and Rabbeinu Bachayei’s Duties of the Rabbi Rothschild. My function was understandable to the so-called Heart. Yehuda imb Tibbon, quite a to see that the translations did ordinary English reader. I was also scholar himself, translated the text justice to the original material, asked for advice on certain points, from Arabic to Hebrew. He writes: conveying their soul and message, as any editor would be. “In every translation there are three both generally and in detail. I did Beis Moshiach: What is your components: the language in which this for a number of maamarim – evaluation of the accuracy of the the original is written; the language

  A>O1EBFKF #'1 +-1&' !& to which you are translating; and original works. necessary, he said, that the soldiers the message. The principal meaning Beis Moshiach: So the Rebbe be devoted to their cause, with all and intent of the original has to be Rashab would have been pleased? the simplicity and self-sacrifice this transferred from the original Rav Gafni: Yes. The Rebbe implies. In return, they would wield language to the newly translated Rashab said the purpose in the greatest weapon to overcome one.” The Rebbe went on to founding the yeshiva Tomchei these powerful forces of darkness. compare these three levels to the Tmimim, and in educating the That weapon is p’nimius HaTorah: True Existence, created existence, Chassidim, was to produce a new Chabad and the intention of Creation. roshei teivos for Chabad: chayalei Chassidus. Rabbi Rothschild really beis Dovid – “soldiers of the house Why wasn’t this weapon immersed himself in the maamarim. of David.” In a famous sicha he deployed in the time of the Rebbe The result is that his writing said the world was approaching a Rashab? Why weren’t works of portrays not only intimate first- period in which there would be an Chabad translated into other hand knowledge of Chassidus and overtly spiritual war. There would languages in those days? The mastery of the English language, be a tremendous struggle to keep answer is that the time wasn’t right. but an empathy with the true Yiddishkait going against powerful It was too dangerous; they were message and intention of the hostile influences. It would be living in the first period of

Rabbi Shneur Zalman Gafni

Rabbi David Rothschild

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  communist Russia. equip the final generations prior to When the Rebbe Rayatz – son the revelation of Melech “In order to and inheritor of the Rashab – HaMoshiach. Every Jew feels what gained such an opportunity on the Rebbe tells us – that as days go understand the arriving in America, he immediately by, more and more people sense we stressed the need to translate are moving toward the great Rebbe’s maamer, Chassidus into other languages. revelation. Documents such as these you need to know This is certainly a component of the maamarim can stir readers to war waged by the soldiers of beis remain firm in all aspects of their all the maamarim Dovid: to transmit Chassidus to the faith and its expression, such as broadest “outside” imaginable. That keeping mitzvos. They can draw of all the previous is, to people who can’t read the closer to Hashem through the original Hebrew or Yiddish. message of p’nimius HaTorah. Rebbeim, But in Therefore, it seems to me, the Beis Moshiach: I understand Rebbe Rashab wouldn’t only be there are five maamarim from the order to pleased, but he’d see the fulfillment Alter Rebbe. What is special about understand all the of the ultimate purpose of Tomchei them? Tmimim in these books. This is the Rav Gafni: The Alter Rebbe’s maamarim of all conquering of the entire world on message to the world is considered its own terms. by many to have been delivered the previous Beis Moshiach: I understand principally through the Tanya. We there are maamarim from 5678 and as Chassidim know that there are Rebbeim, you need 5679. What is significant about also many volumes of maamarim these maamarim? from the Alter Rebbe. Following his to learn the Rav Gafni: The years 5678 and release from prison, these were Rebbe’s maamer.” 5679 are famous in that they are given to the world as part of the very close to the final maamarim we unfolding development of Chabad That’s the job of have from the Rebbe Rashab. For Chassidus. halfway through 5680 was the Rabbi Ginsburgh describes this Melech histalkus. So ‘78 and ‘79 are very process in detail in his introduction. close to the final documents. They The Alter Rebbe’s maamarim are HaMoshiach. are remarkable in that they are not the initial revelation of Chabad huge hemshechim, like Samach-Vav Chassidus, and at the same time together all the incredible details and Ayin-Beis, but nonetheless take build a foundation for future and insights provided by the all the unbelievable profundity detailed explanations. That is what’s previous Rebbeim, and on the other, revealed in those earlier works and so very special about them. As far present them in a final, “essential” articulate it in a succinct as I know, this is the first time such form. They summarize while presentation. seminal maamarim have been preserving the earlier details and These maamarim are a translated into English. The themselves spawning innovations. summation of all the Rebbe achievement opens up a new vista. I once heard an elder Chassid Rashab’s incredible teachings and Beis Moshiach: What is put it this way: “In order to amazing innovations. It is indeed significant about the Rebbe’s understand the Rebbe’s maamer, extraordinary that maamarim of this maamarim? you need to know all the maamarim sort have now been published in Rav Gafni: We have to of all the previous Rebbeim, But in English. remember that the Rebbe is the order to understand all the Beis Moshiach: Do you think seventh generation. The first Basi maamarim of all the previous the study of these maamarim is L’ G a n i maamer describes the Rebbeim, you need to learn the meaningful? dearness of the seventh generation. Rebbe’s maamer.” That’s the job of Rav Gafni: Very much so. As we Its task is to complete the revelation Melech HaMoshiach. said, the Rebbe Rashab founded of Chassidus: to bring the Moshiach Beis Moshiach: And almost all Tomchei Tmimim and prepared in actuality. The Rebbe’s maamarim these maamarim are about the Chassidei Chabad in order to get have this distinction. On the one holidays? ready for the last terrible war and hand, they sum up and gather Rav Gafni: That was the aim of these two volumes, to bring

  A>O1EBFKF #'1 +-1&' !& heard from the Rebbe in yechidus: with scores of passages quoted from “The Talmud requires us to learn various texts. the laws of a particular holiday Rabbi Rothschild studied those when it’s time approaches – sections of Seifer Likkutim where a Shavuot, Sukkos, Yom Kippur, concept in a maamer required Rosh HaShana, Chanukah, Purim, explanation, and chose concise etc. Just as this is the case in nigleh, quotations he felt would be so it is with p’nimius HaTorah. sufficient for the reader. It is very important that a Beis Moshiach: What is unique person learn maamarim relevant to about the Tzemach Tzedek that the particular time of year in which helps readers understand he finds himself. That will give him Chassidus? a great new identification with Rav Gafni: According to the living the essence of that Yom Tov. sequence of the Rebbeim, the It will also deepen his avoda; he’ll Tzemach Tzedek corresponds to the connect to the concepts in p’nimius s’fira of daas. The function of daas HaTorah which are relevant at that is to sum up everything in a way time.” that reveals its profundity and This is a very special idea. The expansiveness. Translating portions Rebbe told me it “makes a of the Tzemach Tzedek, rather than completely different avoda for that simply applying dictionaries of particular holiday,” and he terminology, was thus a very encouraged me to do this with positive idea. The elucidation of bachurim. By learning both the phrases in maamarim via the works Rebbe’s maamer and a previous one of the Tzemach Tzedek is an about a particular holiday, you see outstanding innovation. the unbelievable innovations of the Beis Moshiach: Tell us Rebbe. At the same time, you see something about the style of the how the Alter Rebbe’s maamer, for books. How are they written? example, opened up this Rav Gafni: In my opinion, the unbelievable avenue which led to style of the English is excellent. the revelation of p’nimius HaTorah. Much credit goes to the editor, messages about the holidays from Beis Moshiach: The Gershom Gale of Jerusalem, who the Rebbeim and the Rebbe. Introduction says the commentary I’ve known personally for many Parenthetically, there are two was adapted from the Tzemach years. The passages flow in an easy- maamarim from the Alter Rebbe Tzedek’s Seifer Likkutim. What is to-read style yet maintain the which aren’t about the holidays. Seifer Likkutim? How does the profundity of the original text. The Rabbi Rothschild took upon himself Tzemach Tzedek’s explanation translations don’t deviate from the the incredibly difficult task of elucidate the maamarim? original whatsoever. A tremendous translating these maamarim, One Rav Gafni: The Tzemach effort was required to preserve discusses the tzimtzum, and is Tzedek left us a larger library of these two features. It is a very recognized as one of the most texts than any other Rebbe. It is an readable English, not by any means difficult documents the Rebbeim amazing quantity of Chassidus. The verbose. Effort was made to avoid gave us. Even so, Rabbi Rothschild Rebbe instructed that it be merely literal translation, which managed to translate it beautifully. republished as an encyclopedia sounds heavy and strange. Rather, Beis Moshiach: What’s the called Seifer Likkutim, so an Gershom and Rabbi Rothschild advantage of studying a Pesach alphabetic list of subjects and sub- succeeded in rendering the text into maamer by two of the Rebbeim, say topics was prepared. Then sections meaningful English phraseology a Rebbe maamer in volume one and of Tzemach Tzedek’s works, without interfering with the proper an Alter Rebbe maamer in volume principally Ohr HaTorah, were meaning or message. two? arranged under the various This is what the Rebbe ordered Rav Gafni: This is the whole headings. It is not uncommon for a – a “free translation.” That is, the concept of studying each holiday single subject to cover 50 pages, text is translated in the style of the maamer at its time of year. I once

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  language it is being translated into. pieces through the use of little piece, maybe close the book You find a way of phrasing it which subheadings. Does this helps for a while, and when he comes is at once mature and entertaining. readers digest the content at their back to it, will know where he was. The fact that accuracy yet free- own pace? Beis Moshiach: I’ve been told flowing style come together in these Rav Gafni: I think it is a new that these two volumes contain translations is what makes them so thing and a big z’chus. The more maamarim than have been tasteful to read. subheadings are very clever. But published to date. Does that give Beis Moshiach: Are these once again, they are neither significance to these books? translations different from earlier misleading nor overdone. They are Rav Gafni: It is a massive ones? concise and encourage the reader to accomplishment to bring classical Rav Gafni: I don’t want to consider the next section. Breaking haskala to the English reader. You offend anybody, but I think I can a maamer down by means of such know, the term “haskala” isn’t say that they are an altogether headings makes possible what really the correct word. There is an different work. The passages are would have been an impossible task old saying among Chassidim: “This easy to read and yet don’t lose their for the English reader. Your average is not really a haskala’dike maamer; learned profundity. reader isn’t prepared to read a maamer is about avoda.” That Beis Moshiach: The maamarim through such long texts, but thanks being said, the term “haskala” are broken down into bite-sized to the subheads, he can absorb a refers to the loftiness of the terms

  A>O1EBFKF #'1 +-1&' !& these books. The Rebbe Rashab saw that we are facing a tremendous war, and we, the soldiers, must train other soldiers. We have to draft the entire Jewish people into a great searching army who – based on its knowledge that p’nimius HaTorah leads us to an understanding and longing for the Redemption – want to bring that Redemption to pass. It is important for the whole Jewish People to study these books. The ultimate intention is to bring Moshiach in actuality. I’d like to add something the Rebbe says in Likkutei Sichos volume 3 about translation. “The translation of Torah, and how much more so p’nimius HaTorah, into other languages is a tikkun, a rectification for the sin of the generation of the Tower of Babel. Their punishment was that they were given all these different languages. This came about because they separated themselves from the unity of Hashem. So they were split apart in a way that ended their ability to communicate with each other. But when you bring into those diverse languages the Oneness of Hashem, and the message of p’nimius HaTorah, which is the unity of Y-H-V-H, and all that implies, then you rectify the whole generation of the Tower of and subjects dealt with. A massive The reader will acquire an amazing Babel, and consequently the entire grouping of 24 such maamarim is background by consulting these world! You unite it in such a way historic. citations. that it all comes under the banner Beis Moshiach: There is an Beis Moshiach: Rabbi of the unification of G-d’s Name.” extensive Notes section with Ginsburgh wrote an Introduction? Then in volume 4 the Rebbe thousands of sources quoted, and a Rav Gafni: The Introduction says. “Specifically since translation long bibliography. How does this demonstrates the scope of Rav descends to the lowest point, this is notation of sources benefit the Ginsburgh’s intimate knowledge of a sign that it is drawn from a much reader? the sources. I am sure the reader higher source in the Torah itself. Rav Gafni: The sources Rabbi will find his introduction a very This is due to the principle ‘that Rothschild quotes are only original stirring lead into and help for which originates at a higher source sources; none cite works written understanding the message of these descends to a lower place.’” about Chassidus. Rather, they cite two volumes. That goes for both Holiday Maamarim is available at texts written by our sages, for their profundity and scope. bookstores and on ww.kehot.com. Enter example the Zohar, Midrashim, Beis Moshiach: Who can read the book’s name in Kehot’s search field Talmud, and Kabbala. There are these books? or in an Internet search engine. references to the Rebbeim as well. Rav Gafni: Anyone can read

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  MOLCFIB THE REBBE WAS HIS SHADCHAN

By Shneur Zalman Berger

This was the first time that R’ Rabbi Sholom Chaskind, who passed Sholom saw the Rebbe Rayatz. away one year ago on Shushan Purim, The financial situation of the Lubavitcher families who remained was a member of the Rebbe Rayatz and behind in the Soviet Union was terrible and some of them starved. the Rebbe MH”M’s household. He was The Chassidim did not work on Shabbos and so they had to find also one of the inner circle in the early handiwork to support themselves. Many Chassidim were exiled and years of the Rebbe’s leadership. * A role killed, while their families were left model of a Torah scholar, man of with nothing, in desperate need of help. chesed and a Chassid, mekushar heart It was for this reason that his father, R’ Dovber, along with Rabbi and soul to the Rebbeim. Yosef Chaim Rosenblum, Rabbi Shmaryahu Gurary (a cousin of Rashag, who later became the Rabbi Sholom Chaskind had a historical periods as well as family father-in-law of R’ Sholom), and terrific memory and he also knew history. Rabbi Moshe Gurary, opened an how to tell stories. However, he Rabbi Chaskind, already office to send parcels to Russia. was quiet most of the years, fearing bedridden and not able to leave his Citizens with relatives in Russia that inaccuracies would creep into house, became young and energetic were able, through this office, to his stories as they were passed again, and began to detail his send packages to their relatives in along. It was only in later years family history about the Tumarkin the Soviet Union. In this way, they that he opened up a bit and began family from the city of Homil, at helped them survive. The Latvian sharing his treasury of stories with my request. authorities did not approve of this others, events that he experienced, and finally libeled the saw and heard. HELPING CHASSIDIM administrators. I had the opportunity to talk IN DISTRESS One night in 1934, the four with R’ Sholom a few times and I men were arrested on a false claim. saw how he navigated history like Rabbi Sholom Chaskind was At the end of a long arduous an experienced captain. The last born on 15 Elul 5687/1927 in process, they were given two interview I did with him was after Moscow. A few years later, his choices: either a prison term or the passing of his relative, Rabbi parents, R’ Dovber and Golda, left permanent exile from Latvia. They Moshe Ashkenazi a”h. He told the Soviet Union with their oldest asked the Rebbe Rayatz and the about his part in Rabbi Ashkenazi’s child Sholom and their daughter, Rebbe told them to leave Riga and election as rav of the Chabad for Riga, Latvia. There, the family go to Eretz Yisroel. community in Tel Aviv. The had the privilege of visiting the The four families went to Eretz conversation, as usual, covered Rebbe Rayatz’s home many times. Yisroel in 1935 and settled in Tel

  A>O1EBFKF #'1 +-1&' !& the start, the level of learning was very high. We learned three daf of Gemara a week with commentaries, in great depth. On Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday we learned a daf each day and on Wednesday and Thursday we reviewed what we learned. In 1940, the Chaskind family emigrated to the US. R’ Dovber, who was greatly mekushar to the Rebbe Rayatz, wanted to live near the Rebbe. Despite his young age, R’ Sholom was considered an exceptional bachur both in Nigleh and Chassidus. Before he left, the mashpia in the yeshiva, Rabbi Nachum Goldschmidt, taught him a maamer, and Rabbi Chaim Shaul Brook, one of the roshei yeshiva, complained after he left, “Where will I find another Sholom like him?” Thus, R’ Sholom was one of the first talmidim in the Tomchei T’mimim that the Rebbe Rayatz founded upon his arrival in America. The staff arranged for him to learn b’chavrusa with older bachurim, on account of his good head. Although younger than them, he was on their level. R’ Sholom put a lot of effort into his learning and received smicha for rabbanus from distinguished rabbanim in New York. In the years that followed, he was a member of the Rebbe Rayatz’s household, and his memory was so reliable that even years later, the Rebbe MH”M Aviv, where they were the children of Anash learned in the would consult him to clarify how foundation of the Chabad yeshiva of Navardok. In 1936, the Rebbe Rayatz did certain community that developed at that Rabbi Eliezer Karasik founded things. time. After a few years, when the B’nei T’mimim in Tel Aviv and R’ Pesach 1940, shortly after the Lubavitcher community in Riga Sholom was one of the first Chaskind family arrived in New was annihilated, they realized the talmidim. When R’ Karasik York, R’ Sholom prepared special miracle that had happened. founded Achei T’mimim in Tel wine for the Rebbe Rayatz. It was Aviv two years later, R’ Sholom after he found out that it wasn’t ONE OF THE FIRST learned in that yeshiva. possible to obtain wine with all the TALMIDIM IN THE R’ Sholom had this to say about stringencies that the Rebbe those days: YESHIVA IN TEL AVIV wanted. R’ Sholom wasn’t even bar “Rav Karasik founded the mitzva yet, yet he squeezed a large At first, R’ Sholom and other yeshiva with great effort, and from

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  kitchen at the time. The Rebbe In 1948, he was even supposed to R’ Chaskind and asked where he was, and it was go on a mission for the Rebbe only when he returned to the table Rayatz to Europe in order to visit his son Sholom that he said the sicha. Lubavitcher refugees. However, R’ Sholom was one of the since he did not obtain the were role models meinichim (note-takers) of the necessary visas, he did not go. of hiskashrus to sichos that were said at the meals. In the summer of 1948, he was The Rebbe MH”M asked some of assigned a different shlichus. This our Rebbeim. The those who were present at the was the first summer that meals to write notes of what the bachurim traveled throughout the Rebbe Rayatz Rebbe Rayatz had said, and R’ US on Merkos Shlichus. About Sholom did this several times. The twenty boys went the first summer wrote about R’ Rebbe edited his notes. One year, and visited about a hundred cities the Rebbe repeated his father-in- and towns. Every few days they Dovber, his wife law’s sicha again and again so that sent detailed reports to Rabbi and son Sholom: he could write it precisely. Chadakov, and Rabbi Chadakov R’ Sholom had a special sent them back further “They are among relationship with the Rebbe even instructions. Upon their return, before the latter became Rebbe. they submitted a report about the those truly close For a period of time, R’ Sholom entire trip. worked in Merkos L’Inyonei R’ Sholom, together with his to us.” Chinuch and worked in the good friend, Rabbi Sholom Mendel Rebbe’s room. Simpson, went to Chicago, Kansas quantity of grapes and that is what R’ Dovber Chaskind and his City, Los Angeles, S. Francisco, the Rebbe used for the mitzva of son Sholom were role models of Seattle, and Denver. the four cups of wine. hiskashrus to our Rebbeim. The R’ Sholom’s bar mitzva Rebbe Rayatz wrote about R’ ONE OF THE FOUNDERS celebration was the first ever to Dovber, his wife and son Sholom: OF VAAD L’HAFOTZAS take place in 770. He later related “They are among those truly close that this event was an “attraction” to us.” Anash in Tel Aviv remember SICHOS for the residents of the area who R’ Sholom, years after the passing After the passing of the Rebbe had never seen such a large of the Rebbe Rayatz, telling a story Rayatz, R’ Sholom became assemblage of religious Jews about the Rebbe Rayatz or reading mekushar to the Rebbe MH”M. dressed like the old generation. a sicha of his, and crying bitterly. His father was one of the askanim At first, the Chaskind family that ensured that Chassidim lived far from Crown Heights. ACTIVE IN THE REBBE persuade the Rebbe to accept the nesius. In order to encourage Nevertheless, father and son RAYATZ’S INYANIM together with Rabbi Shmuel Chabad Chassidim in Eretz Yisroel Zalmanov, would walk every R’ Sholom became an to accept the Rebbe’s nesius, R’ Shabbos for an hour and a half to important activist in the Rebbe Dovber Chaskind traveled there 770, in order to participate in the Rayatz’s inyanim. In the summer and held a meeting in meals with the Rebbe Rayatz. of 1946, the Rebbe instructed Yerushalayim with the leading R’ Dovber and his son Sholom Agudas Chassidei Chabad in the Chassidim of Yerushalayim at the were literally members of the US to send two bachurim, among time: Rabbi Chaim Na’ah, Rabbi Rebbe’s household, and Sholom them R’ Sholom, to speak at the Shlomo Yosef Zevin, Rabbi was even asked to help out with siyum of a tractate that was held at Shmaryahu Sossonkin, Rabbi things like serving on Shabbos and the Anshei Azaritz Shul in New Ezriel Zelig Slonim, Rabbi Yom Tov when the distinguished York. Chanania Yosef Halperin, Rabbi Chassidim ate with the Rebbe. After the Holocaust, Machne Moshe Weber, and others. The R’ Sholom’s wife Miriam Israel started an organization senior Chassidim spoke about relates: At one of the meals, the called Temichas Achim, which sent kabbalas ha’nesius. At the end of Rebbe Rayatz prepared to say a packages to Lubavitcher refugees the meeting they all signed a k’sav sicha. My husband was in the in Europe. R’ Chaskind was one of hiskashrus to the Rebbe. the directors of this organization.

  A>O1EBFKF #'1 +-1&' !& Sholom (marked with an arrow) with talmidim of Yeshivas Tomchei T’mimim in New York

R’ Sholom, with two other THE SHIDDUCH R’ Shlomo Matusof, the shliach in bachurim, started the Vaad FROM THE REBBE Morocco, about R’ Sholom L’Hafotzas Sichos. The chozer, R’ Chaskind’s shlichus. The Rebbe R’ Sholom’s shidduch was Yoel Kahn, wrote up the sichos told him that R’ Sholom spoke suggested by the Rebbe himself. and R’ Sholom, together with Hebrew and therefore he would In 1952, R’ Shmaryahu Gurary Rabbi Ezriel Chaiken (today, rav in be more easily able to approach went to the Rebbe and in the Ukraine) ran the office. the Moroccan Jews, and he also yechidus he mentioned several Starting in 5711, they got more knew both Nigleh and Chassidus: names that had been suggested as organized and after every It is possible that in another a shidduch for his daughter farbrengen they produced a week or two, one of the Tzeirei Mariasha (Miriam). When R’ hanacha. Agudas Chabad will be visiting Shmaryahu returned to Eretz Morocco. He is R’ Sholom Yisroel, he received a response Chaskind (who is going to Eretz from the Rebbe: Yisroel and will stop off in I hope that in another few Morocco on my shlichus). Since weeks, R’ Sholom Chaskind will he speaks Hebrew (because he be visiting Eretz Yisroel and I lived in Eretz Yisroel for several am writing this pursuant to our years), and he is knowledgeable discussion when you were here. in both Nigleh and Chassidus, The Rebbe suggested that R’ take the opportunity to have him Sholom go to Eretz Yisroel and speak to the young teachers and do a shidduch with Miriam perhaps also to the old Gurary, but gave him missions to Sephardim, and certainly to the carry out on the way in Morocco, students. (Igros Kodesh vol. 6, p. France and Eretz Yisroel. In those 22) places his job was to check the The Rebbe wrote similarly to development of the mosdos and the other shliach in Morocco, to encourage the work being Rabbi Michoel Lipsker. done. Bar Mitzva invitation, R’ Sholom visited the Chabad the first event held in 770 In Iyar 1952, the Rebbe told

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  mosdos in Morocco and met with as I would like him to visit the immediately afterwards. He local rabbanim and even talked mosdos, camps, transit camps, returned to Eretz Yisroel at the with them in learning. His visit to etc. I have two intentions: (1) end of 5713 with his parents for Morocco was very successful and you should make use of his visit the wedding that took place on 7 impressions of his trip were to lift people’s spirits since he Elul 5713. The young couple written up at the time in Bita’on comes from the US and speaks lived in Tel Aviv. Chabad. English, etc., (2) as well as for intimidation where that is SPECIAL I WANT HIM TO VISIT needed. It is worthwhile RELATIONSHIP ALL THE MOSDOS arranging to visit all the appropriate mosdos with him WITH THE REBBE From Morocco, R’ Sholom (and not necessarily our own) R’ Sholom worked in his went to France, where he visited as well as the chief rabbis, etc. father-in-law’s business and the Chabad mosdos in Brunoy, Surely you will do the afterwards in various and from there he went to Eretz appropriate advertising in the management positions. He was Yisroel. The Rebbe told newspapers. (Igros Kodesh, vol. also very involved in work for distinguished Chabad Chassidim 21) Tzeirei Chabad and was one of to welcome him and to make sure R’ Sholom arrived in Eretz the outstanding activists in the that he be able to carry out his Yisroel in Tamuz. There were early period of Tzach. Aside from work in the immigrant camps, many things he was involved in, that, for many decades he was a and that they should go with him including a special gathering of member of the administration of to government offices to ensure Anash which was for the purpose Yeshivas Tomchei T’mimim and the success of his mission on of strengthening hiskashrus to the regularly participated in meetings of the hanhala. R’ Sholom worked on translating and disseminating Talks and Tales in Hebrew, and he also worked on copying and disseminating records of Nichoach – Chabad niggunim. His special relationship with the Rebbe continued over the years, as his wife relates: “We received instructions about every step, large and small, from the Rebbe and we had a special relationship with Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka. We visited her often and I spoke to her on the phone. “During the years 1957-8, we were in New York. Our son was born there. After the bris he had Rabbi Sholom Chaskind on a trip to Morocco on the Rebbe’s shlichus a strange rash and the doctors said he had to be hospitalized. We Rebbe. asked the Rebbe first and he said behalf of Chabad mosdos and the After carrying out his public an interesting thing, ‘What a new immigrants. missions, he took care of his mother can do, a hospital cannot This is what the Rebbe wrote personal business. After both do.’ We did not hospitalize him, to Agudas Chassidei Chabad in sides met, the shidduch with the of course, and he was cured by Eretz Yisroel: Gurary family was finalized and being treated at home.” R’ Sholom Chaskind will the vort was held in Cheshvan. R’ soon be leaving for Eretz Yisroel Sholom returned to the US

  A>O1EBFKF #'1 +-1&' !& organized which is why it lasted for decades. Not many know to what extent R’ Sholom exerted himself so that the borrowers would receive their loans as quickly as possible. His wife relates: “When he wrote an approval for a loan, even if it was after midnight he would go and put the envelope in the mailbox. When I expressed my surprise he explained that he wanted to be sure that the borrower received the money as soon as possible. In later years, he arranged that all the loans be given through bank transfers, which spared the gemach and the borrowers much misery and headache.” R’ Chaskind was a genius and was proficient in many tractates R’ Chaskind receiving a dollar from the Rebbe (To the right is his brother-in-law, Nosson Gurary) of Shas. He was a wonderful storyteller and precise about “CHASKIND’S Chabad customs, and one who excelled in helping others. In GEMACH” later years, when he moved to R’ Chaskind was the gabbai of Ashdod and he davened in shuls the Chabad shul in Tel Aviv, belonging to other sects, those Merkaz Chabad-Nachalas who were not Lubavitchers loved Binyamin, for many years. Order to hear him talk. R’ Chaskind and tidiness were natural to R’ spoke about Chassidim and Sholom and during the decades Chassidus, about Chabad and the that he served as gabbai, the shul Rebbe, whether it was in a Belzer, was always sparkling clean. He Gerrer or any other shul. did much to ensure the comfort Each time he went to shul, he of the people who attended the was surrounded by a group of shul. people who wanted to know After the passing of the about Chabad, and R’ Chaskind Chassid, Rabbi Dov Gansburg, would tell them stories of who ran the shul’s gemach, R’ Chassidim and explain concepts Sholom took it over. He and customs of Chabad. considered it sacred work. He Even in his final days when he devoted tremendous effort to was confined to home, people raising money for the gemach and Rabbi Chaskind (standing) at his would visit him or take him out son’s bar mitzva. On the right even traveled abroad for this to shul so he could daven with is Rabbi Yaakov Landau. purpose. them and they could benefit from “Chaskind’s gemach” was Yomim tovim, R’ Sholom sent his words of wisdom. well-known among the residents sums of money as a gift, from the He was stricken with of Kfar Chabad in particular and Mattan B’Seser fund that he also pneumonia at the beginning of to Anash throughout the country. ran. Adar 5767 and passed away on They all knew that the gemach The gemach was extremely Shushan Purim. would help them all. Before

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  MBOPMB@QFSB AS THE EARTH QUAKES...

By C. Katz

miracles even bigger than Purim. So When a Chassid is truly connected to the simcha for us wasn’t only what happened 2,000 years ago on the Rebbe, he davka won’t quake from Purim. Here we had a simcha – in the Galus, but will live with the Geula – Adar, just 17 years ago – and a miracle bigger than Purim! and perform the important Adar avoda News announcer Nachman Shai came to an evening to thank of nullifying the very negativity! * An Hashem for all the miracles of the first Gulf War. He said he wasn’t interview with Rabbi Baruch able to disclose all the miracles that happened, but he received Menachem Mendel Kumer. permission to reveal one of them – that Saddam Hussein, yimach shmo, The earth is shaking beneath us, for forgiveness and rachamim to who always said he was “going to but why are some of us shaking save us from the situation shaking burn the country” one day sent a with it? Didn’t the Rebbe tell us the world today... missile that made a direct hit on a specifically not to be afraid – that Rabbi Kumer: The other night, gas line. The miracle was that a day the time of our Redemption has the mashpia from Natzeret Elit, Rav before, there was a gas leak (which arrived?! It’s Adar and a double one Elazar Mordechai Kenig, spoke at a they never had before) and because at that. There’s double the work to farbrengen in Tzfas and said very of that leak they moved the gas be done and when one is focused on clearly that our job as Chabadnikim somewhere else. If it had hit that the Nasi HaDor, he knows just what is to live like Chassidim. What does place...” to do. it mean? There are many stories full And for all these years we’re The following is an uplifting of how a Rebbe would say constantly living with miracles. It interview with Rabbi Baruch something and there would be a continued afterwards in Kiryat Menachem Mendel Kumer, a Tzfas period when it wasn’t clear and the Shmona, then thousands and melamed and Chassid for whom the Chassid would live accordingly even thousands of attacks on Gush Katif, Rebbe’s directives are sparkling though his eyes saw the opposite! where the people living in Gush lights paving the way through the Our job is to live with what the Katif, every one of them had at least “double darkness” – directly to the Rebbe says – and the fact is, the one miracle – if not 20 or more... Geula! When a Chassid is truly Rebbe says we can live with the And then there were the miracles connected to the Rebbe, he davka Geula now. In our times it’s almost that we’re constantly living with.” won’t quake from the Galus, but unbelievably easy to see with our Beis Moshiach: You cited a will live with the Geula – and eyes things the Rebbe said were newspaper writer who, when a man perform the important Adar avoda going to happen and have was killed in Sderot a few weeks of nullifying the very negativity! happened. ago wrote an article headlined, Beis Moshiach: There are some The Rebbe wrote in a general “This time, the miracles stopped...” groups saying we should don letter to everyone after the first Gulf Rabbi Kumer: This is one of the sackcloth and sit in ashes and pray War that there had occurred Tikkunim of our generation, which

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  is a repeat of the generation that not the thing; we have to be the army bases during the war, the came out of Egypt. You can always b’simcha. soldiers we visited had a cloud cover ask – they had Clouds of Glory, When I first came to Israel, I over their heads. The clouds came mahn being delivered, so how was heard from Rav Yitzchak Ginsburg when they were needed! there room to complain? The that when the hour for Moshe A person has to realize the answer is if you don’t live and Rabbeinu to show up came and he Rebbe is in charge! The Rebbe told notice the miracles which are didn’t arrive, the Jews had us that during the Gulf War it happening around you, then the surpassed the levels of purity until became clear that the army wasn’t energy goes into complaining and they reached the highest level of going to be able to do anything. then you see the negative. That’s the Adam HaRishon. But what brought Even though Israeli leaders said difference of whether a Jew is a Jew them back (to the lowest level) was Israel wouldn’t stand for attacks. of the Galus or a Jew of the Geula! the sin of the Golden Calf (that and wanted to strike back at Iraq – The first Gulf War ended in Adar came because) Moshe told them America stopped them. and the when the winds of the that they were going to have to wait When we went out of Egypt second Gulf War were blowing it 40 days. This time, Moshe isn’t there were three steps of Geula – was also during a double Adar and going to tell us exactly how long we the plagues against Mitzrayim and the Rebbe said that the simcha we have to wait – the fact that we’re the b’chorim, standing before the create in the 60 days has the power waiting for him with emuna shleima Yam Suf, and then going through to “battel b’shishim” – nullify in is a tikkun for not waiting then! the Yam Suf. America is the sixty – the negativity. The Rebbe Beis Moshiach: You made a very “b’chor” of the world and they came said another miracle that came out interesting observation about the over here to fight for us. of the Gulf War is that we were Clouds of Glory back in the desert Rav Kenig mentioned that saved from a World War. We’re and in recent years as well... Saddam Hussein had set traps for constantly being protected by Rabbi Kumer: During the Gulf us. He built a bunker underground miracles and the Rebbe constantly War there was a fine cloud cover for every tank and put a demo on said that we’re being protected by that hovered over Israel that actually top, waiting for Israel to come in miracles. kept them from sending certain and use all their bombs and then It says that one of the only kinds of deadly missiles. And when attack Israel when it was out of offerings that will remain after the they had the war in Lebanon, the bombs – but America did it for us! Geula is the offering of thanks – clouds stayed and they were here. I The fact that the Moshe of our “mizmor l’soda” – and that a person used to point out to people – look! generation said this (Eretz Yisroel) should sing. A person has to realize we’re in the middle of Av and is the safest place – makes it a safe that G-d is with us. The fact that there’s clouds all over the area. That place. We have to be happy with the He makes miracles, makes it easier doesn’t happen this time of year! miracles. Moshiach says there’s to be happy. Sackcloth and ashes is When we used to go on mivtzaim to nothing to be nervous about because it’s “the time for your geula.” CHAZAK: MRS. RISHA (BUBBY) PIEKARSKI There’s a Midrash. The Ben Ish Chai says there’s a Gemara that Mrs. Risha (Bubby) Piekarski held an inspiring farbrengen this past people came to a certain place and Shabbos “chazak” to celebrate and thank Hashem for the entrance into started settling in and all of a her tenth decade. sudden the place started to shift – Surrounded by those who expressed their appreciation for the then all of a sudden they realized it woman whose wisdom, humor and “ahavas Yisroel” for every Yid has wasn’t a hill, but a fish in the middle been an inspiration to many – Mrs. Piekarski touched on the horrific of the ocean! Then a boat came by Yeshiva attack this past Thursday night. and they all got on the boat. The “We must keep going and know that there will be (the complete Ben Ish Chai says just before the Geula), she said. “Look, I’m sitting here now after having been through Geula, the Jews are going to come times you wouldn’t know from – starvation, Stalin, wars... – we have to back to Israel and make a settlement keep going.” and then everything is going to fall Many thanked Mrs. Piekarski for setting the example of attending apart – and then the Geula will several weekly Torah classes (and wanting even more!) with the same come along. The fact that enthusiasm she had in earlier years. everything falls apart is the time to

  A>O1EBFKF #'1 +-1&' !& jump into the Geula! do it in every community that every Rebbe said that the simcha of the Just like in the children’s ganim family all over should dance to be Shabbasos of Adar is a simcha we make sure that the children part of turning the darkness into higher than the simcha of hakafos dance two minutes a day, we should light. Rav Vileshansky said that the sh’nius.

THE COW KNOWS ONLY MOO-SHIACH! There’s been a special cow bringing a lot of dependent upon the other – that the way you turn simcha into children’s kindergartens all over Tzfas – down the negative things of Av is by the simcha in and he’s also been spotted knocking on the doors of Adar. And the 60 days of Adar has the power of homes during the Adar Shabbos meals. ‘nullified in 60,’ the double Adar has the power to It’s not a coincidence that the only language stop all negative things.” this cow knows is “Moo-shiach.” Because Meanwhile, the first Gulf War had ended underneath the costume is a Chassid on Purim (exactly as the Rebbe connected with every fiber to the Rebbe, prophesied) and some 10 years later the a melamed who has taught children by winds of the second Gulf War were text and example for more than 21 blowing where they had left off – years: Rabbi Baruch Menachem Adar, and a double one at that. Mendel Kumer. It was a frightening time, but not * * * for those who were focused sharply It all started with a farbrengen in on the Rebbe’s instructions. which the Rebbe spoke about “We used the idea then to take beginning the Purim seuda at home away the negative things that it looked and then going from home to home like we’re going to happen during the until one reached the Beis Knesset. With Second Gulf War. So we started in the those clear instructions, Rabbi Kumer ganim (kindergartens) that every child began a tradition which quickly became very should dance two minutes at home during well known in these parts on Purim. the week. At week’s end, the child would bring He would make a short seuda at home and then a note from his parents that the family danced with proceed house to house “until the mashke or whatever simcha and the child received a prize.” To start the took over.” He didn’t always make it to the Beit simcha going, Rabbi Kumer bought a clown costume Knesset, but those who had their tables and went to the ganim to dance with the danced on and their seudos uplifted to children. even greater heights, could never forget Then someone came up with the idea the experience. to do it in shul too. So every Shabbos But as Anash started to grow and evening in shul, Rabbi Kumer started expand, it became more and more to show up in shul in a clown difficult to make it to every home. So costume. A couple of years ago, he Rabbi Kumer began his rounds of all switched to the cow costume and the homes four weeks earlier! found it was even more successful – It didn’t stop there either. “there’s a certain element of simcha on the face of a cow...” * * * * * * In 1992, a few weeks before Chaf- Zayin Adar, the Rebbe mentioned that But alas, Tzfas has grown, and the 60 days of Adar simcha (in a double Adar) dancing cow may still not show up on had the power to nullify all things that are every door. But don’t wait for him. not good. Everyone should start to dance for at least two “The Rebbe brought proof from Gemara Taanis minutes a day with the entire family. And when you that just as when the month of Av comes, you have to multiply that in communities all over the world...” minimize in joy, so that when Adar comes you have to smiles Kumer, the simcha, G-d willing, would break increase the simcha. The Rebbe taught us that one is the very, very last boundaries!

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  JLPEF>@E DDBRI> A DAILY DOSE OF MOSHIACH & GEULA Collected and arranged by Rabbi Pinchas Maman; Translated by Michoel Leib Dobry

7 ADAR II: THE DIVISION OF ERETZ YISROEL IN THE FUTURE the kings of the nations of the world will provoke one TO COME – TEN LANDS FOR THIRTEEN TRIBES another…the king of Persia will provoke the king of Arabia, and the king of Arabia goes to Aram (another version: Edom) In connection with the division of Eretz Yisroel – as is to get advice from them…and all the nations are in written, “To these you shall divide the land in inheritance, etc., commotion and bewildered…and G-d says to the Jewish to the many you shall increase his inheritance, etc., however by People: My children, do not be afraid, all that I have done, I lot shall the land be divided, etc.” – since only the manner of the have done only for you… division of the land is interpreted, and not the details in the “At the time that Melech HaMoshiach comes, he stands distribution to the twelve tribes (as in Parshas Matos-Massei upon the roof of the Beis HaMikdash and declares to the that follows), it can be said that this command also includes the Jewish People, saying: Humble ones – the time of your complete division of the land in the days of Moshiach, the land Redemption has arrived” (Yalkut Shimoni, Yeshayahu 499).” of the ten nations that will be distributed to thirteen tribes, It is thus clear that the Persian Gulf War is one of the signs including the tribe of Levi, “the tribe of Levi is one.” of the Redemption, as the phenomenon of “kings provoking one (Shabbos Parshas Balak 5751) another” is one of the signs of the Redemption (B’Reishis Rabba 8 ADAR II: THE DIVISION OF ERETZ YISROEL IN THE FUTURE 42:4), and more particularly, when “the king of Persia (the TO COME – G-D HIMSELF WILL DISTRIBUTE THE LAND region that covers all of Iraq) provokes the king of Arabia,” as what happened in this war. And by the Jewish People doing the avoda of “Mach Da Eretz (Shabbos Parshas Chayei Sara 5752) Yisroel” in its most complete sense, we will enter Eretz Yisroel dancing, and we take a portion in the division of Eretz Yisroel in 12 ADAR II: THE TIME AND SIGNS OF THE REDEMPTION – the Future to Come “to thirteen tribes” by G-d Himself – “G-d THE CONCEPTS OF THE REDEMPTION ARE ACCEPTED IN THIS Himself divides for them” (Bava Basra 122a). WORLD (Shabbos Parshas Pinchas 5751) There are those who ask about the fact that people recently 9 ADAR II: THE ESSENCE OF THE MOMENT OF THE are speaking about the Redemption literally coming now: How REDEMPTION should the family react to this and what will the world say about it? The Redemption is literally coming immediately at this If the subject of the Redemption represented some moment and in this place, such that the last moment of the exile innovation, there might be room for such a question. However, and the last point of the exile become the first moment and the since the Redemption is not a new concept – rather, all matters first point of the Redemption. on the Redemption have already begun (“as in former times”), (Shabbos Parshas Shmos 5752) and they have been drawn down and accepted in this physical 10 ADAR II: THE TIME AND SIGNS OF THE REDEMPTION – and lowest of all worlds (on the level of “and your advisors as in former times”) – it will be no wonder when the Redemption PURIFYING THE WORLD AND THE NATION OF FRANCE comes immediately, mamash! One of the destinies of the Redemption is stated explicitly in (Shabbos Parshas Shoftim 5751) connection to the nation of France: “And this exiled host of the children of Israel who are [with] the Canaanites as far as 13 ADAR II: THE SUPERNAL WILL ON THE LEVELS OF Tzarfas, etc., they shall inherit the cities of the south. And REDEMPTION ARE REVEALED ON TAANIS ESTER deliverers will go up to Mt. Tzion to judge the mountain of Taanis Ester is different from the other fast days, as it is a Eisav, and the kingship shall be G-d’s.” (Ovadia 1:20-21) special day unto itself. The four fast days of the Tenth of Teives, And from the prophet’s detailing the exile and redemption of the Seventeenth of Tammuz, Tisha B’Av, and Tzom Gedalia France, it is understood that a special connection exists between were established with the chain of events that occurred one after them…and the reason is that the completion of the world’s another in connection and in relevance to the Beis HaMikdash purification – “and the kingship shall be G-d’s” – is brought (the Destruction and the general concept of the Exile). Thus the about through the purification and elevation of (the Jews in) meaning behind transforming the fast day into a “desirous day” France. is the building of the Beis HaMikdash in the Future Redemption. …since this country was then the force of the klipa and Taanis Ester, however, was established regarding a separate harsh judgment, and it opposed the conduct of yiras Shamayim event that has no connection or relevance to the Beis (fear of Heaven), and particularly, the path of chassidus…now HaMikdash. the situation has changed completely…to the point that it has However, as we stand on a day when the concept of Taanis been transformed into a place and center of Torah and Ester shines in a revealed sense, it can be said – to the contrary Yiddishkait. In other words, it had been cleansed and purified in – that it has an even higher level in relation to the other fast a permanent manner to establish the inner light. days: “The revelation of His Blessed Supernal Will” (“a desirous (Shabbos Parshas VaYeishev 5752) day for G-d”) on Taanis Ester is in such a lofty manner that in 11 ADAR II: THE TIME AND SIGNS OF THE REDEMPTION – relation to this uplifted state, there is no distinction between a THE PERSIAN GULF WAR state of Exile and a state of Redemption! (Seifer Hisvaaduyos 5746, p. 697) “In the year that Melech HaMoshiach will be revealed, all