SEPTEMBER 30/ TISHREI 10

ON JEWISH THOUGHT AND ITS CONTEMPORARY APPLICATIONS Parsha Mikeitz in a Nutshell INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Just because a soul is in prison doesn’t mean it cannot dream. Yom Kippur in a Nutshell TheFreedom holiest day on the Hebrew calendar is also the most misunderstood. Yom KippurWhile theis a Exodusday of profound freed us from connection Pharaoh and and transcendence. his taskmasters, Discover the real Yomit committed Kippur. us to a greater, more embracing servitude. The Kabbala of Yom Kippur TheDiamonds Kabbalists and and Chicken Chassidic Fat masters teach us that the soul as it were is com‑ prisedAn allegory of five of dimensions.diamonds and Learn: chicken How fatdeep that is describes YOUR soul? the soul’s descent into the physical body. Yom Kippur: The Kittel Comforts and freedom often lead to complacency, but Yom Kippur reminds us simultaneously of our troubles and our triumphs, encouraging us to reflect on the mysterious cycle of life.

WEEK IN REVIEW SEPTEMBER 29-30,2017 TISHREI 10,5777 YOM KIPPUR 1 of the challenge is the issue itself and how much is it our confidence in our ability to find a solution? Who is in a better YOM KIPPUR position to handle a predicament: One with more potential (but less awareness of his latent power) or one with more IN A NUTSHELL confidence and conviction (but with less potent fire-pow‑ er)? All this underscores the critical importance of getting to know how powerful you actually are as opposed to how powerful you think you are. om Kippur is the holiest day of the year, when Ywe are closest to G‑d and to the essence of our souls. Yom Kippur means “Day of Atonement,” as the THE HOLIEST DAY OF THE YEAR verse states, “For on this day He will forgive you, to purify you, that you be cleansed from all your sins before G‑d.” Now imagine that you have one day a year when you can meet yourself face to face. A day when core soul is bared and you can see who you really are — not just who you think you are.

Wouldn’t that be something? THE OF YOM KIPPUR Well, we are indeed given such a day. That day is called Yom YOU AT YOUR BEST Kippur. A day when we can travel into the innermot depths of our souls, and discover hitherto unknown recesses and dimensions that can empower you to achieve the seemingly n Yom Kippur your core soul — your very impossible. essence — is laid bare. — Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi Yom Kippur opens up doors to the core of our inner souls, to our very essence, and how to channel those intimate pow‑ On the holiest day of the year, the holiest ers into our daily lives and relationships. part of your soul enters the holiest space in existence. — The ORebbe The Kabbalists and Chassidic masters teach us that the soul as it were is comprised of five dimensions, one curled into How much of your potential has been actualized? As you the next: may have guessed, this is a trick question. Because we must first know how much potential we have before determining 1. The surface level of the soul is Nefesh – sensory life. The the amount that has been tapped. The real question then is: medical definition of biological life: a beating heart, a live Do you know how much potential you contain? How deep brain, a breathing organism. In the language of he Kabbal‑ is your soul? Or in the words of Alice’s Wonderland: How far istic sefirot — the functional lowest three sefirot, netzach, down does the rabbit hole go? hod, yesod (neh”i). This is not a mere academic exercise; it is the key to solv‑ 2. Layer two is – emotional life. The higher middos, ing many if not most of our challenges and struggles. How chesed, gevurah, tiferet (chaga”s). many of our problems are a result of us feeling hopeless and 3. Neshomo – intellectual life. Mochin, chochma, binah, demoralized due to a wrong or underestimated assessment daas (chabad). of our true potential? How many of our concerns would be resolved if we knew that we had the resources and strength These first three levels are immanentm, conscious and local‑ to deal with them? ized dimensions (kochos penimi’im). Then comes the tran‑ secendent, non-localized powers of keter (the crown abve Think of it this way: When faced with a dilemma, how much the head):

WEEK IN REVIEW SEPTEMBER 29-30,2017 TISHREI 10,5777 YOM KIPPUR 2 4. Chaya – transcendent life. Arich (the lower domension of tracting ourselves with outer stimulation, anything that will keter). relieve our existential loneliness. Some develop sharper tools like cynicism or worse. 5. And finally Yechida – oneness – the pure essence of the soul. Atik (the higher dimension of keter). Yechida, oneness, As much as we crave intimacy which resonates deep within is the pintele yid – the inner dot, the purest point of your us, the sad fact is that sensory stimulation consumes our dai‑ most intimate self. The inner child of innocence. Your core. ly lives, obfuscating our innocent essence, to the point that Our most tangible experiences are on the outer layers of the our inner life is most often left wanting if not plain starving. soul; what our surface senses and basic consciousness can perceive. But our truest and most meaningful experiences So is there hope? Can we reach our inner yechida? are on the inner levels of the soul, the deepest of them all – on the yechida level. The answer is yes — on Yom Kippur.

However, the deepest recesses of the soul are shrouded But it is not a simple process. within its outer layers, which in turn are encased in the hard crust of the physical body and material universe. Entering the souls’ holy of holies is not a light matter. We don’t enter there at will and without great care. Being the Thus, we have three daily prayers (shacharit, mincha and purest place in your heart and the most intimate dimension maariv) corresponding to the first three conscious soul-di‑ of the soul, yechida (the holy of holies) is extremely sensi‑ mensions (nefesh, ruach, nehsomo, nara”n) which we can tive. Every subtle move, even the slightest quiver, has a dra‑ access in our daily life routines. matic impact on that most tender of places in our psyches. Observe a newborn child’s’ ultra sensitivity to touch and On and holidays we add a fourth prayer (musaf), surroundings. [This is why abuse that touches our intima‑ reflecting the transcendent chaya dimension accessible on cy, especially as young children, has such devastating con‑ these material-labor-free days. sequences]. By means of analogy: A strand of hair on your sleeve is harmless, but in your eye it is highly irritating. Our And once a year, achas ba’shono (lit. once a year), all the outer organs are protected from bacteria, but exposing our layers are stripped and we experience the fifth dimen‑ internal organs requires a highly sterilized environment. The sion — hence the fifth neilah prayer at rthe conclusion of subtler and purer the place, the greater the care necessary Yom Kippur — “achas,” the oneness and unity of the inner‑ to preserve its pristine character. most dimension of the soul, the holy of holies – yechida sheb’nefesh. But one day a year we are given the power to enter our holy of holies. And we enter with great care: We fast and suspend, Like the high priest who entered the holy of holies only on as much as possible, our immersion in the material world. the holiest day of the year, on Yom Kippur, the holiest part We spend the day in prayer and clothed in white – all to set of each soul enters the holiest space in existence, and can the proper ambiance to enter the holiest place in our souls. access the innermost core of its being. That one day is Yom Kippur – the day of the fifth dimension, when we celebrate yechida: The one and only day in the year This is the story of our lives. We are born pure and innocent when each of us has the power to access our innocence. On children. Children who dream enchanted dreams, believe this day you can become like the High Priest and enter your that everything is possible and expect the most. Vulner‑ own holy of holies. able children – unpolluted and uncorrupted. Then life’s challenges being to seep into our experiences. We slowly On Yom Kippur you return to your child, to your innocence, (some faster than others) learn about deceit, duplicity, dis‑ to your purest place. But this time, the innocence and exu‑ appointments and unrealized expectations. As the years roll berance of the child comes joined with the seasoning and on the outer layers of our soul and the body’s shell harden, experience of an adult. [One of the most awesome sights is innocence lost and expectations lowered. As we experience to witness the fusion of adulthood and childhood. Observe harsher realities many of our dreams and idealism wanes, an elder who still maintains the twinkle – the spunk, enthu‑ until many of us come to a point of silent resignation, dis‑ siasm and possibilities – of youth].

WEEK IN REVIEW SEPTEMBER 29-30,2017 TISHREI 10,5777 YOM KIPPUR 3 And therein lays the power of Yom Kippur. tions, expunge all judgment, and see the majesty in every soul’s journey. Yom Kippur tells us that your intimate innocence is never lost. Perhaps concealed. Maybe deeply concealed. Your I meet many people. A number of them come to me for per‑ child may be hiding. After your child has been hurt and dis‑ sonal advice and counseling. I have learned that one thing appointed, after he or she has seen how cruel people can above all allows one the confidence to offer help — and to be – your child goes into hiding. What emerges is an adult always have a positive outlook. And that is: to always look with a metal sheet of armor, an extensive and complex bat‑ beyond the surface and see the beautiful soul in each per‑ tery of defense mechanisms, protecting the vulnerable child son. Even before you begin speaking and interacting, seek from the pains of the world. Sometimes the child is so well out the pure and innocent dimension in the individual sit‑ concealed that the “mature adult” cannot even see his own ting before you, and make it your mission to do everything child within. in your power to help that person recognize and access that force in his life. But then we are given a day like Yom Kippur, when we are able to open the doors, and peer inside. And as we do – the This is how I was trained by my — our Rebbe — to child within is given the power, permission and strength to travel beneath the outer shrouds and seek out the inner peer out back to us. core of each individual we encounter.

Can you see your child, your core, your yechida? Imagine what our lives would be like were we to look at each other in this fashion — seeking out the best within ev‑ Even the most cynical among (and within) us has a pure ery soul we meet; recignizing the best within our own souls. side. Even the most jaded has a moment of truth. Yom Kip‑ With such an attitude imagine what the world would be pur teaches us the most vital message of hope: Never give like…n up on your self – on your inner, pure self. No matter how challenging your life has become, no matter how worn down you are, despite your bitter disappointments, losses and wounds – your inner yechida always remains intact. YOM KIPPUR: THE KITTEL Even if you give up on everything, never give up on that YOM KIPPUR 1945 pure child that lies embedded within you. That child – the holiest part of your heart and soul – may be your last vestige The account below was related to me personally by Reb Lei‑ of your greatest potential, and the last refuge of hope. bel Zisman, a living witness to these unforgettable events. Leibel was 14 years old at the time, and his birthday is on If nothing else – one day a year hold on to what is most dear. Yom Kippur. Give your child, your soul, a chance to speak to you. Yom Kippur Eve 1945/5706, Foehrenwald DP Camp, Germa‑ Cherish your child. Protect her. Nurture her tenderness. ny. Above all, be kind to her. After all, she is you – the best of you. * * *

On a very basic level this awareness can change your every he sun was about to set on Yom Kippur eve, interaction, the way you look at others and the way you look the holiest day of the year. at yourself.

But for us… For us it felt like Tisha B’av. Just Indeed, this Yom Kippur/Yechida outlook has transformed a few months earlier we were living, if you can call that liv‑ my life and my work. On a personal note allow me to share Ting, it was actually dying, in the unspeakable horror that one of the most important lessons I have taken from the sin‑ was called the Gunskirchen Lager (concentration camp) in gle holiest day of the year: To get beyond your own percep‑ Northern Austria. It is impossible to describe the hundreds

WEEK IN REVIEW SEPTEMBER 29-30,2017 TISHREI 10,5777 YOM KIPPUR 4 of dead bodies strewn about everywhere you turned “why are we wearing a kittel today? Our parents and throughout the camp. The hunger, the stench, the death, loved ones were just slaughtered without tachrichim the insanity was everywhere. The Nazis, may their names (burial shrouds). They were buried, with or without and memories be forever erased, dehumanized us, turn‑ clothes, in mass graves, or in no graves at all…” ing us into ravenous sub-humans, desperate for a drop of water. Days would go by between a morsel of bread and Suddenly, the Klausenberger Rebbe began tearing off paltry sip. his own kittel, literally. “No kittel!” he cried out in an an‑ guished voice. “Let us be like our parents. Let us remove I was 14 years old when we were finally liberated on May 5, our kittels, so they can recognize us. They won’t recog‑ 1945. Orphaned, widowed, homeless – completely alone nize us in kittels, because they are not wrapped in kit‑ with no place to go – we wandered in what now appears a tels…” complete fog. But it all comes back to me as I tell the story. We – some 5000 of us survivors – ended up in the Foehren‑ I have no words to capture the emotions pouring out of wald DP (displaced persons) Camp in Germany (southwest the grand Rebbe that first Yom Kippur after the horror. of Munich), where we spent Yom Kippur, together with the Klausenburger Rebbe, Rabbi Yekutiel Yehudah Halberstam, Everyone gathered in the shul began to weep uncontrol‑ who tragically lost his wife and 11 children to the German lably – men, women, old, young, every single person in beasts. the large hall. All our anguish, all our unbearable losses, all the humiliation and senseless dehumanization came As night was falling that Yom Kippur eve all 5000 of us gath‑ spilling out of our guts. ered in a makeshift shul for Kol Nidrei. As is the custom in many communities, the Klausenburger Rebbe stood up on It was an unforgettable sight: 5000 people sobbing. Nit the bimah (the platform in the center of the congregation) geveint. M’hot ge’chlipet. Not sobbing; bawling. The to share a few pre-Kol Nidrei words to awaken our hearts floor was wet with the tears gushing from all our eyes. and prepare us for the awesome day ahead of us. What a stirring hisorerus (awakening) we experienced that Yom Kippur eve, what a remarkable hisorerus – it I will never forget what the Klausenberger Rebbe said was unbelievable. that Yom Kippur eve 61 years ago. The moment was over‑ whelming. The Rebbe’s words rang in our ears, in every fiber of our broken beings – every one of us had just lost our closest With tears in his eyes he began by thanking G-d for saving relatives: fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, uncles and our lives from the Nazi hell. aunts. We were indelibly scarred. The words rang out: “What do we need tachrichim for?! Your father, moth‑ He then pointed to his kittel – the white linen robe that we er, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, zeide, bobbe – they are traditionally wear on Yom Kippur – and began to speak (in all lying mangled in mass graves. Or in no graves at all Yiddish), slowly, deliberately, tearfully: – burned to ashes… What tachrichim? What clothes? What kittel?!…” “One of the reasons we wear this kittel is because it is the traditional burial garment, in which we wrap a body be‑ Picture the scene: The holiest night of the year. The awe‑ fore laying it to rest in the ground, as we do when we bury some moment just before Kol Nidrei. All the scrolls our parents and those that came before us. Wearing a kittel lifted out of the ark. 5000 broken , left shattered, or‑ on Yom Kippur thus reminds us of our final day of judg‑ phaned without families. The saintly Klausenberger ment when we will be laid to rest. It therefore humbles and standing on the bimah, ripping off his kittel – “We don’t breaks our hearts, stirring us to do complete Teshuvah (re‑ need it…” turn). The white, linen kittel is a symbol of purity that we achieve through our introspection and efforts to repair all * * * our wrongs. What more can be said? Yet, as another Rebbe once ex‑ “Since the kittel reminds us of the burial shroud of those pressed himself: that passed on before us,” continued the Klausenberger,

WEEK IN REVIEW SEPTEMBER 29-30,2017 TISHREI 10,5777 YOM KIPPUR 5 “It difficult to speak, but it’s more difficult to remain silent.” deaths and millions of others endured unspeakable deg‑ radation. We will never know why their bodies were never Today, 61 years later, we are blessed to enter Yom Kippur with‑ shrouded in white. out the misery that haunted Yom Kippur in 1945, immediately after the liberation from the camps. Yom Kippur today comes But we always know that we – all generations – are bound amidst many blessings and comforts. We live in freedom and in one inextricable chain, and we do recognize each other have achieved many levels of success. It’s almost impossible to despite our different, even diametric opposite, garments, imagine that in just six decades the Jewish people have gone cultures, backgrounds and levels of commitment. Because through such a renaissance: With the growth of Israel, advance‑ beneath it all lies a unifying force that connects us all. ments in and overall prosperity Jewish life to‑ day is nothing less than a modern miracle. And on Yom Kippur – today, in 1945, two thousand years ago, and 3278 years ago – we celebrate this inherent unity. In stark contrast to 1945, we now enjoy a sumptuous meal be‑ This week we read in the Torah how Moses, 3278 years ago, fore the holiday together with our intact families. We dress up, just a few days before he ascended on high not to return, don our well-pressed kittels and enter our synagogues in calm designated heaven and earth as eternal witnesses to his and peace. final words for the Jewish people.

But we must never forget, never lose sight and get caught in Look up at the sky. Look down at the earth. The same clear the trap so succinctly captured in this week’s Torah portion: sky and pure earth that Moses looked at 3278 years ago. “Vayishmen Yeshurun Va’Yivat. Shomanto, oviso, koshiso” – “He The same smoke filled sky and blood drenched earth the became fat and kicked. You became fat, thick and gross” from Jews suffered in Gunskirchen 62 years ago. The same sky comfort and prosperity. Such is the nature of an easy and con‑ and earth we gaze upon today. tent life: It creates complacency. The same heaven and earth heard and absorbed Moses’ On Yom Kippur we dedicate an entire section of prayer to “aleh words over three millennia ago. And they have stood ever ezkiro” – these I will remember. We recount the troubles that since bearing silent witness to G-d’s promises. have befallen us since the destruction of the Temple, ending with the heart-rending story of the “” who were bar‑ Yom Kippur is upon us. And heaven and earth are our wit‑ barically put to death by the cruel Roman Emperor. ness that we are linked today to all generations past – both a gift and a responsibility. Ten great men – the greatest of their time – are never forgotten, and live on in immortality despite (or perhaps because of) their As the sun sets this coming Sunday evening and we put on premature, brutal deaths. our kittels, we have much to cry and sing about – for our‑ selves, our families, generations past, future generations, n A little over 60 years ago not ten but… six million martyrs were from the beginning of time into eternity itself. massacred for no other reason than their being Jewish, with no tachrichim, no kittels, no dignity – with nothing at all.

But we remember. And we don’t only remember. We recreate. We channel all our anger, pain and loss into a revolution, dou‑ bly and triply reinforced by the fact that we now have the re‑ sponsibility to fill the void left by those six million and all that they and their offspring would have accomplished.

We don’t just remember; we know that regardless of the mys‑ tery of life and death, despite the historical extremes from de‑ struction to rebirth – we are all part of one mysterious cycle.

We may never know why six million martyrs suffered such cruel

WEEK IN REVIEW SEPTEMBER 29-30,2017 TISHREI 10,5777 YOM KIPPUR 6