Shabbat Parshat Yisro Friday, 19 Shvat 5769 – 13 February 2009

Why We Care About Israel... Living with the Ten years ago, during a flare-up of Palestinian hostilities ("the more things change…"), a media outlet arranged to interview a student at a local Jewish Rebbe day school about the situation. As we read in this week's Torah portion, Yisro, when the This 8th grader is a friend of mine and he asked me for my advice. Jewish people received the Torah from G-d, Moses taught it Specifically he wanted guidance as to what he should respond if asked for his first to the women and then to the men. The Torah states, "So opinion on what should be done to bring peace to the troubled region. I you shall say to the House of Jacob [the women] and tell the suggested that he reply: "I'm a 14 year-old kid in a sydney suburb—how Children of Israel [the men]." should I know?" Why did the women precede the men in the giving of the We pray not only for a return to the land, but to our landWhich leads me to Torah? the obvious question: How about rabbis, why do they expound on Israel's Our Sages tell us that Moses taught the general principles of military strategy? Would we heed a dentist's opinion on engineering? Herein lies the crux of the perplexing nature of the "Mideast conflict." This is the Torah to the Jewish women, after which he learned the not a standard battle for sovereignty, nor even an ideological dispute. minutiae of its laws with the Jewish men. The general The Jews' relationship with the Land of Israel is unlike any other citizenry and principles came first, after which the details and particulars of their land. In the course of human affairs a nation and its state are absolutely the Torah's many laws followed. linked. If a kingdom falls, its culture de facto falls too. Its language, dress and In fact, this is the prevailing order when it comes to Torah: customs step aside as obvious losers and make way for the practices and first come the generalities, then the particulars. traditions of the new sheriff in town; simply put: you lost, ergo your ways are To give an example: inferior. The Jewish people heard the first two of the Ten The Jews and their land don't play by those rules, and that's what confounds Commandments directly from G-d - "I am the L-rd your G-d" and often angers the rest of the world. Even though we lost the dominion over our land we did not abandon our traditions, though our government was and "You shall have no other gods" - after which they heard conquered we did not capitulate to a new king. the rest of the Ten Commandments, which were given over by And here is the real kicker: though we were exiled, we maintain that the land Moses. is still ours. We pray not only for a return to the land, but to our land. We Another example: G-d gave the Jews the Ten defy international law and refused to recognize that to the victor go the spoils. Commandments - the general principles of the Torah - then We maintain that despite the absence of sovereignty, it is our land, it is a holy He gave them the remainder of the Torah's 613 mitzvot. land, not just a place we once lived and hope to live again. Similarly, Moses first taught the general principles of the That's why rabbis, spiritual leaders, speak out about Israel; it is their field Torah to the women, after which he went into the details of because the Jew's link to the Land is spiritual, not just ancestral. the laws with the men. And this also explains why so many people have such strong opinions about a region so far away; a place they may have never visited nor have any serious But why were the Torah's principles taught specifically to consideration of ever living? I wonder, do Brazilians discuss Finland with the Jewish women? such fervor? Faith in G-d and fear of G-d are the "general principles" of Jews everywhere care so deeply about the Land of Israel because it is part of the Torah, as it states, "And G-d commanded us to keep all their soul. these statutes [in order] to fear G-d." In other words, the When G-d created the world He entrusted lands to whom He chose… totality of Torah and mitzvot is merely a corollary of faith in The classic biblical commentator Rashi makes this point in his opening G-d and awe of Him. comment on Genesis. He explains that when G-d created the world He Believing in G-d and fearing Him are the foundations of the entrusted lands to whom He chose—and He assigned the Land of Israel to the entire Torah. Women are particularly distinguished in these Jews. That's why it is our land; not because of the Balfour Declaration or the good graces of the UN, not even because of the might of the IDF—may G-d two qualities; their faith is much more apparent and expressed bless and protect them. more openly than it is by men. Jewish women observe We need to constantly remind ourselves of this. We may be like my 14 year- mitzvot with simple faith and with a pure and perfect fear of old friend, ill equipped to speculate on troop deployment—we should leave heaven. that (exclusively) to the military experts, whose sole objective is the Indeed, it is for this reason that the Jewish women merited to protection of their citizenry. Instead we should focus on our super-rational receive the general principles and foundations of Torah ahead bond to the Land. of the men. At any rate, I wonder if we really win when we "win" the debate about the It was in the merit of the righteous women of that generation virtue of Israeli democracy or military procedure. I think we may lose more that the Jewish people were taken out of Egypt and received than we gain by agreeing to the debate, by entertaining the thought that we are (only) justified to live in Israel by virtue of socio-political argument, instead the Torah. So too is it in our times: In the merit of our of Divine directive righteous women we will go out of our present exile, and be We are obsessed with the daily activities in a land faraway because that land worthy of learning Torah directly from Moshiach. is part of our very identity in a way far more significant than a mere hometown, and more than we could ever explain to the BBC. Eretz Yisrael, the land of Israel, is one with Am Yisroel, the People of Israel. Adapted from Likutei Sichot, Volume 31

L’Chaim Weekly Newsletter

Parsha in a Nutshell What's New Moses' father-in-law, Jethro, hears of the great New Emissaries miracles which G -d performed for the people of Rabbi Zvi Yaakov and Israel, and comes from Midian to the Israelite camp, Chanie Zwiebel have been appointed the new bringing with him Moses' wife and two sons. Jethro directors of new Librescu advises Moses to appoint a hierarchy of magistrates Chabad Center at and judges to assist him in the task of governing Virginia Tech University and administrating justice to the people. in Blacksburg, Virginia. The Children of Israel camp opposite Mount Sinai, Rabbi Yanky and Chanshy Majesky will be where they are told that G-d has chosen them to be establishing a new His "kingdom of priests" and "holy nation." The Chabad House in North people respond by proclaiming, "All that G-d has Orlando, Florida, serving spoken, we shall do." the Jews in the area. On the sixth day of the third month (Sivan), seven Rabbi Hershy and Frumi Spritzer are weeks after the Exodus, the entire nation of Israel arriving soon in the S. assembles at the foot of Mount Sinai. G-d descends Fernando Valley, on the mountain amidst thunder, lightning, billows California, to establish of smoke and the blast of the shofar, and summons Chabad on Tampa, serving the local Jewish Moses to ascend. community. G-d proclaims the Ten Commandments, Rabbi Benny and commanding the people of Israel to believe in G-d, Sonia Hershcovich have not to worship idols or take G-d's name in vain, to completed their pilot trip keep the Shabbat, honor their parents, and not to to Los Cabos, Mexico, and will soon be murder, commit adultery, steal, bear false witness returning their or covet another's property. The people cry out to permanently to establish Moses that the revelation is too intense for them to and new Chabad House bear, begging himfollow to His receive "prescr th the the y Torah from G - d there that will serve the local Jewish population and convey it to them. and Jewish tourists.

A MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN Thoughts that AND SPIRITUAL LEADER Shin) Count I am the L-rd (Havaya) This Monday will mark the eleventh yartzeit of Rebbetzin Chayayour G -d (Elokecha) Who Mushka Schneerson, of blessed memory, wife of the Lubavitchertook you out of the land And you shall be My own treasure of Egypt (Ex. 20:2) (segula) (Ex. 19:8) Rebbe. In the year after her passing, the Rebbe spoke oftenHavaya, about thethe un concept-utterable of "And the living shall take to heart" - that by performing practicalfour-letter mitzvot name and of Ggood-d, Just as the Hebrew vowel "segol" is refers to an aspect of G- made up of three dots, so too, does deeds in the Rebbetzin's memory, the departed's soul is elevateddliness that even is abovehigher. In the years since, numerous educational institutions, tzedakanature, organizations implying past, and G-d's treasure (segula) - the Jewish outreach programs have been founded in the Rebbetzin's presentname, and future.hundreds if people - consist of three constituent Elokecha (Elokim), the not thousands of Jewish girls are proud to be named after suchnumerical a holy equivalent woman. of parts: priests, Levites, and Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka, daughter of the Previous Lubavitcherwhich is the Rebbe, same wasas a hateva (nature), alludes Israelites. The Torah, too, from symbol of all the positive attributes Jewish women have embodiedto G-dliness throughout as it is the where Jews draw their strength, is ages, incorporating a profound sense of modesty and unwaveringenclothed devotion in the natural to truth order. strength to also three-part: The Five Books of with a sincere consideration for others. Deliberately shunningovercome the spot all obstacles-light, she Moses, Prophets, and Writings. consistently fled from any recognition of her special status,and choosing limitations instead imposed to "work behind the scenes" with countless individual acts by of nature. kindness (The and Previous self- (The Lubavitcher Rebbe) Rebbe, Sefer sacrifice for her fellow Jews. The many stories about theHaMaamarim Rebbetzin that Tav -beganShin- to surface only after her passing paint a picture of an exceptionalZayin) Jewish figure Moses spoke (yedaber), and G-d You shall not covet (Ex. answered him (Ex. 19:19) whose entire life was an example of nobility, devotion and20:17) courage. In her later years the Rebbetzin's health was less than optimal,How can yet a person she was so The word "yedaber" is actually in self-effacing that she refused to "bother" her husband with herprevent problems. himself "It from is very the future tense, implying "Moses desiring something that important to me to avoid causing the Rebbe sorrow," sheis truly once desirable? replied The when will speak." It is also etymologically someone pointed out that if people could come from aroundfollowing the world analogy to seek is the given: The poor peasant related to the word "yadber," Rebbe's blessing for such matters, surely she could do the same.doesn't entertain the meaning "he will lead and guide" - Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka chose to live in the "shade" notion of the of luminariesmarrying the who king's daughter; not even a reference to the "reflection of surrounded her. But by striving to emulate her example,in his we heart ensure of hearts that she Moses that exists in every continues to illuminate our world forever. does he dream of being her husband. The very generation ." (Sefer HaMaamarim idea is absurd, outside Kuntreisim) the realm of what is Rabbi Pinchuspossible. FeldmanSimilarly, whenOAM we realize that another I am the L-rd your G-d (Ex. 20:2) person's possessions SmileThis first its ofFriday! the Ten What Commandments happens when a fly falls into a coffee cup? The Italian - throws the cup and walks awayhave nothingin a fit of to rage.do with The Frenchman - takes out the fly, and drinks the coffee. The Chinese - eats the fly and throws away the coffee. The Russian - drinks the coffee was given in the singular ("Elokecha" us, coveting them with the fly, since it was extra with no charge. The Israeli - sells the coffee to the Frenchman, the fly to the Chinese,becomes buys himself impossible. a new cup ofnot coffee "Elokeichem"), and uses the extra as each money individual's to invent a device that prevents flies from falling into coffee. The Palestinian - (Ibnblames Ezra) the Israeli for the flyconception falling in his and coffee understanding , protests the actof ofG- aggressiond is to the UN, takes a loan from the European Union to buy a new I cup will of put coffee, none uses of the moneydifferent, to purchase depending explosives...and on his capacity then blows for up the coffee house where the Italian, the Frenchman, the Chinese,disea andses the upon Russian you arewhich all trying to explain to the Israeli that he should give away his cup of coffee to the Palestinian I brought on the spirituality, knowledge of Torah, and Egyptians; I am the L-rd individual service. Accordingly, each Who heals you (Ex. person who was present at Mount Sinai 15:26) understood the commandment A "house doctor" who isn't paid according to differently. L’Chaim Weekly Newsletter The Living Shall Take To Heart The Rebbe continuously stated the directive Nechoma was special, and special people spending a Shabbat together with her. "The living shall take to heart" in his talks live special lives. What follows are a few Nechomie was known all over Israel as "an following the passing of his wife, Rebbetzin short glimpses of how others perceived American connection." If anyone needed Chaya Mushka Schneerson, on 22 Shevat, Nechoma Greisman: help anywhere, they knew they could rely on 1988. This directive is based on the verse in The more I went to her home, the more Nechomie. There were so many things I Ecclesiastes (7:2) "It is better to go to the one particular thing became very clear to learned indirectly from Nechomie. Just house of mourning, than to go the house of me. Time is precious! Just watching watching how she dealt with her husband, feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the Nechoma made you realize this. She her children and everyone around her, taught living shall take to heart." calculated every second so carefully yet at me a lot. She really gave everything she had When one goes to a place of mourning, the same time a person didn't feel to her children. She always dealt so calmly anecdotes describing the fine qualities of the intimidated by her or feel guilty for not with them and gave each one attention as if deceased are usually shared. The living can being on her level. On the contrary, she he/she was her only child. (Miriam learn from these stories and improve would always praise a person and Rappaport) themselves by emulating these characteristics encourage them further. Nechomie was there the summer we all of the person who has passed on. Everything was action. At one of her spent at Bais Chana Women's Institute in Certainly this is true of Nechoma Greisman, classes we were discussing prayer for Minnesota. Her life had been vastly different who passed away suddenly at the age of 39, on women. We were all taken by surprise from ours. We came from a world where 23 Shevat, 1992. Her passing left thousands in when she told us simply that she prays advanced degrees and conferred status were the Lubavitch community, in the world-wide three times a day. "Ever since the Rebbe the indication of intellect, yet she had never ranks of the Teshuva movement, and in Jewry mentioned that women should also be even attended college. To top it off she was at large, with a real sense of personal careful to say 100 blessings every day, I quite a bit younger (in years only) than most bereavement. have been davening three times a day. of us. But despite these "differences" we In addition to being amongst the Rebbe's first How else would I say 100 blessings every were all soon completely under her spell. shluchim (emissaries) to Israel and supporting day? And what's so amazing is that ever She helped us through the complexities of her husband in all of his work, she devoted since I took this on, it seems to fit in so every new mitzva with a directness and a herself at every possible opportunity to well with my time. How? I really don't warmth that matter-of-factly did away with teaching women. For many years, hundreds of know!!" Those words never left me. To our fears. Nechomie did not have a women of all age and levels of observance this day, whenever I consider taking on judgmental bone in her body. Of course this eagerly attended Nechoma's weekly classes on something additional, or whenever I is one reason why she was the ultimate Chasidic insights into Torah at the Israel complain, "there isn't enough time for..." I expression of love of a fellow Jew. For Center in Jerusalem and at Machon Chaya stop and think of Nechomie Greisman. when there is no ego there can be no Mushka which she and her husband founded (Devorah Cohen) separation between people. and nurtured. As those women fondly recall, I remember sitting up nights with her Nechomie truly taught by example. She had each of these classes was not merely a forum talking about anything and everything. I the instinctive ability to fuse together for the transmission of information: it was an never really comprehended how a mothers materiality and spirituality and thus live a unforgettable happening, a shared sisterly of nine children could spend so much time truly Jewish life. The best example of this is quest, a joyful igniting of souls. She taught talking to me, and still be up and cheerful her freezerology. She was an expert in women from the perspective of Chasidut, and in the morning. utilizing the freezer, and this was not merely taught Chasidut from the perspective of a If there is one thing I learned from for the sake of being an efficient balabusta- woman. Nechomie during the six months I stayed she strove to be an efficient balabusta only But all of her lessons, whether formal or in the Greisman home, it was the so that she could have more time and energy informal, were part and parcel of who she was, importance of hachnasat orchim for the truly important things in life, and yet as a friend described her, "Nechoma knew in (hospitality). But Nechomie was not an not shortchange her family and guests on every fiber of her being that there is One ordinary person and she did not do this nutrition and comfort. As she froze kugels Whose will always comes first, and she ran to mitzva in an ordinary manner. The guests and challah dough and home-made baby fulfill each of His mitzvot. She was all of one were not always the easiest guests. Many food and went on to write articles about it so piece. She had absolute integrity. And her times they were girls from broken homes that other women could benefit from her radiance lit thousands of hearts." who needed a lot of time and attention. I practical wisdom, she did it "for the sake of Characteristically, she never allowed the remember asking Nechomie so many heaven." (Sara Chana Schreiber) constant calls on her time-for teaching, times, "How do you have the patience for Ed.'s note: Nechoma Greisman continues to counselling or hospitality-to compromise her such people?" I can't even remember now touch hundreds of women's lives through total and ever-patient dedication to the daily what she used to answer me, but I books published by Machon Chaya Mushka needs and education of her children. remember that it really made an that were compiled from her writings and Nechoma exemplified the concept of a impression on me. It was not easy for her transcribed from her classes, The Nechoma shaliach (emissary) of the Rebbe. As another either, but she did it, and she did it Greisman Anthology and Through the Eyes friend wrote of her: "To be a shaliach only happily. Nechomie had her calendar of a Woman. Nechoma was the driving force takes a willing heart. But to be a shaliach booked far in advance. Women were behind Machon Chaya Mushka in Jerusalem amongst shluchim takes something special." always calling to have the privilege of and her personality propelled it. It continues to this day, perpetuated by her memory.

Published by The Yeshiva Center Chabad NSW Headquarters 36 Flood St. Bondi NSW 2026 Australia Dean and Spiritual Leader: Rabbi Pinchus Feldman OAM Rabbinic Administrator: Prior to the Redemption, when the quality of self-sacrifice for a higher goal is less Rabbi Yossi Feldman understood, men dominate. Women, however, who represent a state of utter Director of Outreach Rabbi Elimelech Levy nullification to G-d will be truly appeciated in the Era of Moshiach. When G-dliness Email [email protected] finally pervades the world openly, the uniqueness of her Divine essence will shine with Chief Editor: Levi Epstein Email [email protected] remarkable radiance. (The Crown of Creation by Chana Weisberg) )

L’Chaim Weekly Newsletter on the list, they had no authority to accept cash or pledges. Upon hearing that their husbands' names were not even mentioned on the list, the women raised such a cry that even Reb Nachman and The Previous Rebbe, `and Rabbi may Yosef Yitzchak Shneersohn, sent a long Reb David heard it, and became very frightened. letter to his daughter, Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka, describing the When the members of the Rabbinical court learned that the personal metamorphosis several individuals underwent as they became collectors had returned with their mission accomplished, they hurried through the rest of their prayers. Against their better Chasidim. Although it is a personal letter from father to daughter, the first 120 pages of it became public. The conclusion of the letter, judgment (for the husbands were very impoverished Chasidim), however, remained private. The following story is excerpted from that they accepted the pledges from the women. The special letter in connection with Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka's yartzeit on the messenger was dispatched to bring the sixty gold florins to the 22nd of Shevat. Besht. When the Besht's emissaries finished praying, a feast was One day there was excitement in the study hall of Zaslov: two emissaries of the Baal Shem Tov-the tzadikim Reb Nachman prepared in honor of the great privilege the Besht had bestowed Horodenker and Reb David Furkas-arrived on a mission from the Baal upon them. For the Besht loved them so much that the had given Shem Tov [known also as the Besht]. The Besht had instructed them them the privilege of participating in the mitzva of pidyon to raise the sum of sixty gold florins that very day. This money was sh'vuyim; he was so devoted to the Chasidim in Zaslov that the had sent to them the two famous tzadikim. All the Chasidim were needed for pidyon sh'vuyim [redemption of captives]; the entire sixty florins had to be delivered immediately by special messenger, for time in such a joyful mood: you can't imagine how great their delight was short. was. The emissaries arrived just as the people were finishing the recitation When the feast was finished, Reb Nachman spoke about the of Psalms. As soon as the emissaries finished speaking, a list was women who had wept while begging the collectors to accept their contributions toward the sum the Besht had assessed the drawn up of all residents of the town who were the Baal Shem Tov's Chasidim. A Rabbinical Court was constituted to assess how much Chasidim of Zaslov. "The Rebbe," said Reb Nachman, "is very each citizen could afford to contribute. This court appointed collectors fond of simple Jews. He says that a simple Jew who recites a to go to peoples' homes immediately and collect the imposed tax. If chapter of Psalms with his whole heart and sincerely loves his there was anyone who did not have sufficient cash on hand, they could fellow Jew is favored by the Supreme King more than great take from him some article of value as collateral until the sum was tzadikim. paid in cash. "How profoundly genuine those women's tears were! Their sole Within less than three hours, the collectors returned to the study hall desire was for their husband's names to be included in the list of with the full amount of sixty gold florins. They had also drawn up a those assessed to contribute money for the great mitzva of pidyon ledger in which they had recorded the names of those who had paid sh'vuyim. A mitzva is so precious, and the Besht so sacred to their assessment in cash, those who had made pledges and given them, that when their husbands' names were omitted from the list collateral, and those who had given loans guaranteed by the collateral their poor hearts broke and they burst out weeping. How precious taken from those who had not yet paid. such tears are to the Master of the World; how sweet and Just then, wailing was heard in the antechamber of the study hall. delightful they are to the Angel Michael and his 180 thousands legions of defending angels! Such genuine heartfelt tears can Several women whose husbands were not at home had arrived: one was a tailor who worked somewhere in the country; one was a peddler annul all evil decrees." who went from place to place with a pack full of merchandise; one Reb Nachman then related an awe-inspiring story about an evil was a teacher at an inn. decree against an entire Jewish community. When a certain These women had heard that the Besht had sent emissaries to collect woman uttered a few truly sincere words that came from the depth of her heart while she wept profusely, the decree was contributions for a great mitzva. Since no one had approached them to ask for a contribution, they had come themselves, bringing pledges annulled. "If only we would weep on the holy Yom Kippur with (for they had not cash on hand). One had brought her candlesticks, one the same sort of tears with which our own women wept!" he had brought a kiddush -and-havdala goblet, another had brought a concluded. down-stuffed pillow. Translated by Shimon Neubort and published by Sichos In English in The The collectors, in turn, declared that their mission was to demand cash Making of Chasidim. or pledges from those whose names appeared on the assessment list given to them by the court. From people whose names did not appear

Candle Lighting Times Dedicated in Loving memory of Friday 13 February 2009 City In Out Frieda Rosenstraus Sydney 7:33pm 8:29pm Brisbane 6:17pm 7:10pm 20 Shvat Surfers Par 6:16pm 7:10pm Melbourne 8:04pm 9:03pm

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