1 CROWN HEIGHTS ~May 16, 2008 כאן צוה ה’ את הברכה CommunityNewspaper

פרשת בהר | יא' אייר, תשס”ח | בס”ד weekly vOL. i | NO 27 May 16, 2008 | Iyar 11, 5768

LAG B'OMER T PESACH SHENI H I Page 18 S Page 3 Page 20 Page 17 W E E K

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He polished the hearts of his children, his students, and diamonds too Pages 4-5 Science & the Laws of Nature ~Page 2

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Davening Maariv early with a min- By Moshe Rubashkin on your blood type, where you will get yan or when it gets dark without a the best nutrition and digestive benefits. I would like to Today is Tes Iyar, the yarhzeit of three minyan? first of all thank great Chassidim who gave their lives for Dr. Tzvi Lang the Rebbe and for the Rebbeim. I look By Rabbi Shlomo Segal Over the course of the generations, f o r m a k i n g at Reb Nissan Nemenov’s legacy, Reb we find different customs. There were the Yom Iyun Yisroel Neveler’s legacy, Rabbi Pinya Member of Crown times and places where the custom was a tremendous Alteus’ legacy—their self-sacrifice, Heights Bais Din as Reb Yehuda holds, to daven Maariv success. All the mesirus nefesh, is hard to emulate. They from earlier in the day. There were hard work you are true lamplighters for our generation Question times and places where the custom was put in the last and for us as a whole, showing us what it as the Chachomim, to daven when it week really paid means to be a real soldier in the Rebbe’s I was asked by became dark. off as close to 300 people showed up army. My two-and-a-half years learning Shluchim who throughout the day--a huge success! by Reb Nissan Nemenov showed me live in various In Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim We had Rabbi Yossi Katzman as the with a dugma chai of what it means to cities where dur- chapt. 233) it states, “Now that the MC. Rabbi Michoel Seligson started be given over to the Rebbe’s inyanim ing the summer custom is to daven Mincha until it gets off, followed by Rabbi Osdoba, Rabbi in every which way. The effects of this the custom is to dark; therefore, one may not daven Segal, Rabbi Yossi Paltiel, Rabbi Zvi will last my whole life. daven Maariv early, and it is impossible Maariv before sunset.” Homnick, Rabbi Nachman Shapiro, to have a minyan after it becomes dark: and Rabbi Weisberg from Toronto. I really have to thank my counselor in Is it preferable that one daven Maariv On the other hand, the Ramo writes, TheV aad really thanks all the speakers Gan Yisroel when I was 14 years old, with the minyan or is it advisable to “Regarding us in these countries, where for coming, and to all the people that Rabbi Yudka Eidelkopf, for pushing wait until the zman and daven Maariv the custom is to daven Maariv from came-a Yasher Koach. me a whole summer to go learn by without a minyan? the plag hamincha, one may not daven Reb Nissan. He was stressing to me Mincha after the Plag Hamincha.” Seeing this particular success gives me that by going to Reb Nissan to learn, Answer tremendous encouragement for what you will learn how to learn, how to be In the last generations, customs I envision happening downstairs in a Chassid, and you will learn how to be On the topic of time of Maariv, there is a changed, and the Sefardim who tradi- the rec. center. The mentoring room given over to the Rebbe’s inyanim in a controversy of the Tanoim in the Trac- tionally follow the psak of the Shulchan downstairs should have 2-3 speakers way of self-sacrifice.Y ou will see how a tate of Brochos (26a). Reb Yehuda holds Aruch, follow the Ramo and begin every Sunday for 45 minutes to an hour Chossid of the Rebbe davens and learns, that Mincha is until the plag Hamincha davening Maariv earlier. On the other discussing nutrition, Chinuch, money totally given over to the Rebbe and to (which is 1 ¼ hours zmaniyos, before hand, the Ashkenazim, are strict not management, practical questions and his students. Baruch Hashem, I had it gets dark), and the Chachomim hold to daven until it gets dark. This is also answers regarding the community, and a very good and successful 2 ½ years until the evening. We derive from the cited by the Magen Avrohom (chapt. more. Baruch Hashem, there is great in the Yeshiva and with Reb Nissan controversy that Reb Yehuda holds that 233): “Now it is the custom to daven news to report. Sunday at 6 o’clock, personally. I sent, Baruch Hashem, my Maariv begins from Plag Hamnicha, Mincha closer to Maariv, because this there were 10 young girls taking swim- three older sons to the Yeshiva, and which is 1¼ hours before dark. The is the opinion of the Chachomim. ming lessons from Miriam Weiss. That IY’H, I will be sending my fourth son Chachomim hold it begins when it get same night at 9 o’clock in the evening, to the Yeshiva this coming year. Reb dark. This controversy, as explained in In the Aruch Hashulchan he writes Pesach Zirkind was giving recertifica- Yitzchok Nemenov who took over the the Gemoro, is based on the end mark- that most of the communities daven tion courses for our 15, bli ayin hara, Yeshiva is giving over the same ruach ing of the time period of the afternoon Mincha until the evening and therefore, zal bochurim to be able to lifeguard at to the bochurim today. Rabbi Mendel sacrifice in the Bais Hamikdosh. Maariv does not begin until dark. This our Mosdos. The Oholei Torah boys Gurevitch who helped me with my stud- is also mentioned by the Mishne Bruro starting using the pool this Monday. ies as a bochur is running the gashmiyus The Gemoro asks who do we follow? (ibd.). of the Yeshiva with a beautiful heart just Originally, the Gemoro brought a We are getting a lot of calls asking when like his father, Reb Berel Gurevitch, story from Rav, “He would daven the Regarding Minhag Chabad, we find the pool will be open to the community. who just recently passed away. Shabbos evening Tefila on Erev Shab- in the Alter Rebbe’s Tshuvos (chapt. My heart breaks when I hear them. The bos. From this we derive that it is in 7): “In such a situation we find many real holdup now is the showers and Reb Berel was the kindest man you accordance with Reb Yehuda’s opinion.” Halachas where there is a controversy the locker room which I am praying will ever meet in every way. When he The Gemoro then relates thatR eb Huna between Rishonim or Acharonim, and will be done by June 30th. This way, left Russia, just married, at the border did not daven until it was dark, which in earlier generations our ancestors we will be able to have different times they took him off the train because of means that the Halacha is not like Reb conducted themselves in accordance for men and ladies in the heat of the his papers. His wife wanted to travel Yehuda. The Gemoro concludes that with the lenient opinion, and in these summer when the pool is much needed. back to Russia to find her husband and since the Halacha was not finalized as generations the majority of Yidden Once the locker room is done, we will to be with him. They sent a telegram any of the two opinions, whichever way conduct themselves according to the be building the locker room and the to the Friediker Rebbe asking if she one chooses to do, he may do. stricter opinion, as …Maariv when it exercise room. should travel back to Russia. The reply gets dark.” was to continue with her trip. About I would like to point out the great a year later, right before Pesach, there Reb Chaim Noeh in his sefer Ktzos community that we live in here in Kan was a knock on her door. There was Newspaper Hashulchan (chapt. 26:4) states that Community Tziva. Bli Ayin Hara, every week from here husband, coming home for Pesach. Maariv begins when the stars have all over the US and the world, people There is much more to the story, butI 392 Kingston Avenue appeared, and this is the custom of are coming to learn here, , to work on don’t know all the details. What we see Brooklyn, NY 11225 Anash.” shiduchim, to start a new life. There is here is open Ruach HaKodesh from the Published & edited weekly by the Vaad Hakohol so much talent in this community, bli Friediker Rebbe. of Crown Heights. Regarding the question if it is preferable Ayin Hara, it is unbelievable. I really Moshe Rubashkin, Rosh Hakohol to daven Maariv with the minyan or think that this rec. center will give the It’s great to have known a real sweet, Dr. Tzvi (Harvey) Lang, Chairman it is advisable to wait until the zman Rabbi Plotkin, Secretary community what it really needs, for sweet, sweet, soldier in the Rebbe’s and daven Maariv without a minyan, Layout: SimplyUnique ([email protected]) the adults and the kids. It’s great to be army, Reb Berel Gurevitch. Reb Berel the Tzemach Tzedek’s opinion (in his All material in this paper has been copyrighted. It working on this project. Once it’s done, Gurevitch and his wife were blessed is the exclusive property of this newspaper, unless chidushim on Brochos Seif 2) is not to the community as a whole will see the with a beautiful family. They are beauti- otherwise attributed., and cannot be reproduced start Maariv before the time, although without the consent of the publisher. great energy that this rec. center is going ful people, kind-hearted. It’s a pleasure the minyan is davening earlier, because Composition responsibility: This newspaper will not to give us. to talk to them. They always have a smile reciting the Tefila, reading the Shema be liable for errors appearing in advertising, beyond and are willing to do a favor whatever it the cost of the space occupied by the error. Advertiser and its Brochos in the appropriate time All my life, people are my compass. As may be. I can attest that all the parents assumes responsibility for errors in telephone orders. is more important than davening with a All advertisement designed and prepared by the we know, there are four blood types. If that send their sons to the Yeshiva will minyan, and the Tzemach Tzedek cites CHCommunity Newspaper are the property of the you are into nutrition, there are doctors tell you what kind of great newspaper and cannot be reproduced without the references from different poskim who who tell you what you should eat based consent of the publisher are with this opinion. Continue on page 15 May 16, 2008 ~ crOWN heights 3

The Rebbe's Sicha 5746

Science & laws of Nature 5746 (1986) Once revealed, it will not seem to be manner. If G-d had desired, the rules so revolutionary, but will be acceptable of gravity would be different. Published and copyright © by Sichos In sanctified and separated from the other to all who are ready to admit that there English days of the week, beyond the limitations Do you wonder at this statement? is a Creator of the world. of time. “How is it possible” you may ask, “that Every being in existence is composed Using the story of Sambation as the the laws of nature have no intellectual of infinite components. Since the true Its influence on the other days of the analogy, we will also project that just explanation or logic? So many scientists existence of everything comes from week. as the proof of the Sambation was have written so many books about the G-dliness and since the Holy One, “By keeping Shabbos, we set in our accepted as a universal demonstration laws of nature. There must be some Blessed be He, formed the world in a hearts the belief in the creation of the of the truth of Shabbos, so, too, when axiomatic truth.” manner which reveals the Hand of the world, that G-d made the world in one reveals G-dliness in one area, it Creator, it follows that His handiwork But the simple answer is: science studies six days” (Chinuch Pos. Comm. 31). will serve as a positive verification of must also reflect His limitlessness. and investigates measures and explains “So that we shall remember the act of creation in all areas. Therefore, all matter is comprised of the rules of nature, its perceived laws, creation at all times and admit that all countless components (molecules, The prime example of revealing G-d and how they interact and influence the world has a Creator.” (Ramban, atoms, subatomic particles, sub-sub- in nature is the system of nature itself. each other, but science does not begin Shemos 20:8) atomic particles and forces, et. al.). More precisely, the “laws of nature” to fathom the underlying principles and In other words, the aspect of time which -- the immutable and irrefutable reasons for the natural laws. Scientists Maimonides put it this way: reveals G-dliness can influence those laws of nature. If you study the laws have not, cannot, and will not reach All existing things, whether celestial, aspects of time which conceal G-dliness of nature, you will realize that they such understanding, because there is terrestrial or belonging to an intermedi- that they too should recognize and proj- were created by G-d, for there is no no logical or rational explanation. The ate class, exist only through His true ect their spiritual source. And similarly, logic which can rationally say why the only reason they exist at all and in such Essence. (Laws of Basic Principles of in the realm of “person” and “place”, the laws of nature exist and function in a a form is because G-d created them the Torah 1:1) goal is that the G-d-revealing entities particular way. way they are. will influence the rest of the corporeal Some beings will clearly reveal their Take for example the law of gravity. The more science studies and inves- reality to reveal G-dliness. This is actu- G-dly origins, while others tend to hide There is no logical explanation in the tigates the natural world and its phe- ally realized by the Divine service of their spirituality. These varying degrees discipline of physics for the law of grav- nomena, the more it becomes obvious the Jewish people which incorporates of G-dly revelations will be evident ity or for its characteristics. The only that the mind is limited and will not the “time, space and person,” through from different examples in time, space explanation is that this was created fathom the underlying reasons. It is the presence of the Jew, in whose merit and person. and set by G-d to function in such a G-d’s will! the world was created. For the Jews are “Space”--All the lands of the world the ones who reveal G-dliness in the exist because “the whole earth is full world, and the revelation comes from of His glory” (Yeshayahu 6:3), but their the world itself. Sicha - Pesach Sheni, 5744 G-dly life-force remains concealed. In The Talmud relates: “This question Published and copyright © by Sichos In this symbolize? Eretz Yisroel, however, it is revealed. As was asked by Turnusrufus of Rabbi English Scripture says: “It is a land constantly A Jew’s task regarding all aspects of Akiva... ‘Who tells you that this day is under G-d your L-rd’s scrutiny: the eyes One of the special days of the year is Torah and mitzvos is to be a “receiver” the Shabbos?’ -- He answered: ‘Let the of G-d your L-rd are on it at all times Pesach Sheni (the second Pesach). If — he does what G-d commands him River Sambation prove it.’ (The strong from the beginning of the year until a person could not bring the Pesach to do or doesn’t do what G-d forbids. currents of the Sambation carried the end of the year.” (Devorim 11:12) offering in its proper time — on the Yet we have said that everything in the stones and rubble all week but rested In Eretz Yisroel the creative force is first Pesach (because he was unclean world is both a “receiver” and a “giver.” on Shabbos).” (Sanhedrin 65b) always evident. or on a distant journey) — he is given It is Pesach Sheni which emphasizes Rabbi Akiva’s proof that in fact this the opportunity to do so on Pesach Jews’ role as a “giver” — it was through In the realm of the “person” there are day was Shabbos came from a natural Sheni. Although this day is called the their efforts, by demanding “why should also levels. Every Jew is a member of phenomenon -- the River Sambation. “second Pesach,” thereby emphasizing we be deprived,” thereby indicating the “holy nation” (Shemos 19:6), yet In its natural course there was a drastic that it is second in status to the principal their great longing to offer the Pesach there are levels in this holiness, as the difference between its rushing course Pesach — and particularly since it is sacrifice that brought about the com- Zohar states: “Their body is holy, their during the week and its halcyon calm- only for those who were unable to bring mandment of Pesach Sheni. soul (nefesh) is holy...their super-soul ness on Shabbos. For some reason this the first Pesach — nevertheless, since (neshamah) is holy of holies.” (Zohar In greater clarification: It is written analysis and obvious explanation of its it is one of the special days in the year, II p. 70b) concerning the creation of the world: strange nature had never previously it must possess a quality that not even “All His work which G-d created to In “time,” too, there will be a distinc- been realized. And it was necessary that the first Pesach has. function.” Our sages interpret “to func- tion between Shabbos and the six a Jew, Rabbi Akiva, should reveal this Everything in the world has the dual tion” to mean “to rectify,” intimating workdays, a difference which is clearly obvious fact to the world. The reason? aspects of being both a “giver” and that G-d deliberately created the world described in Scripture at the start of The Jew sees G-dliness revealed and can “receiver.” Even the lowliest thing has such that it should be rectified by a Jew’s creation: “Heaven and earth and all reveal it to others! But it must be noted some quality which everything else service, thereby making the Jew G-d’s their components were thus completed. that he was not revealing something does not, which it “gives” to the other partner in creation. With the seventh day G-d finished all that was a secret before. He merely things (who in regard to this quality are the work that He had done. He rested pointed out an obvious phenomenon Similarly, all aspects of Torah and “receivers”). This quality is an integral on the seventh day...G-d blessed the and focused their attention to realize mitzvos were given to Moshe at Sinai. part of the whole of creation, making seventh day and He declared it to be the cause, so that after he made the Nevertheless, there are some concepts it whole and perfect. Thus, although holy....” (Bereishis 2:1-3) point, the river itself proved that the in Torah which future disciples will Pesach Sheni in most aspects is second day was Shabbos (not Rabbi Akiva), reveal (for that everything in Torah was The Gemara explains that “the Shab- to the first Pesach, it must possess some something which the non-Jew could given at Sinai to Moshe, refers to the bos has already been sanctified and so quality which the first Pesach and other also see and accept. general principles and rules of deduc- continues,” indicating that on Shab- festivals do not. The latter then “receive” tion: the actual concepts derived from bos, G-dliness radiates in a revealed This same principle will apply to the this quality from Pesach Sheni. these principles and rules are revealed manner. Consequently, the facets of aforementioned role of Shabbos, “that G-d’s command concerning Pesach by successive generations). Indeed, Shabbos which reflect the infinity of the we shall admit at all times that the Sheni differs from all others in the Torah every Jew has a portion in Torah which Creator in the created will also radiate world has a Creator.” This knowledge in that it came into being through the only he can reveal, as stated: “Grant in a revealed way. When a particular will emerge from the physical existence complaint and demand made by Jews us our portion in Your Torah.” This is Shabbos has many obvious themes, this itself, and although it will not be self- (who couldn’t bring the first Pesach) particularly emphasized by the mitzvah principle is greatly enhanced. evident (if it were obvious, there would to Moshe Rabbeinu: “Why should we of Pesach Sheni, which came into being be no framework of free choice), after Let us first discuss the general theme be deprived of bringing the offering of purely as a result of the Jews’ claim, a bit of contemplation, and with some of Shabbos, which may be divided into the L-rd?” (Bamidbar 9:7). All other “Why should we be deprived.” help from one who is not limited by two broad subjects: commands in Torah were given by G-d the concealed world, it will become The claim, “Why should we be deprived?” without the Jews’ demand. What does The existence of Shabbos for itself, obvious. Continued on Page 14 4 CROWN HEIGHTS ~May 16, 2008 Our Heroes

Rabbi DovBer Junik 1927- 9th of Iyar, 2005 By Rabbi Michoel Seligson traveled to Poking, Germany where was Naftoli’s, referring to my father. the Rebbe told the Rebbetzin, “If Berl a refugee camp had been set up. Reb The Rebbe acknowledged with a nod Junik said that you can do it, you may Rabbi DovBer Junik, fondly referred Berl continued his studies at Yeshivas of his head that he knew who I was rely on him.” to by Anash as Reb Berl, was born in Tomchei Tmimim in Poking. The and greeted us with ‘Boruch Boachem Priluki, Russia in 1927 on the 6th of During one summer in the early years Rebbetzin was known to some of the Lsholom’, blessed be your arrival. He Menachem Av to Horav Naftoli and of the Rebbe’s nesius, Reb Berl was Chassidim, who arranged a private continued, ‘Today, we see each other Mrs. Golda Ita Junik, descendents of invited by the Rebbetzin to eat supper room for her and tried to assist her in and from time to time we will talk.’ He the holy Rabbonim, Reb Levi Yitzchok every night at the Rebbe’s house. One every way possible. After a short period then inquired about our learning seder. of Berditchev, Reb Pinchas of Koritz, evening when he came for the meal, he of time, the Rebbetzin left for France in Less than a week later on Shabbos, the and Reb Menachem Nochum of Cher- overheard the Rebbe say, “I will go to 1947 where she met the Rebbe who had tenth of Shvat, the Previous Rebbe was nobel. Under the influence of the Rav my room, and you give him to eat. If he nistalek. of the city, HoRav Hillel Solozuvski, knows that I am here, he will not want to Reb Naftoli became acquainted with Mekushar to the Rebbe eat.” After his marriage,R eb Berl visited Chabad Chassidus. Reb Naftoli was a the Rebbetzin on Shabbos with his Reb Berl became very Yireh Shomayim and did not send his family, on a steady basis. His children mekushar to the Rebbe children to government schools but visited the Rebbetzin as well and were and on the 7th of Iyar for brought them up with mesiras nefesh in contact with her by phone. the first time entered into in an underground cheder. Yechidus with him. The In the beginning of the Rebbe’s nesius, Reb Berl obtained his background in Rebbe put on his gartel the Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka requested Torah and Chassidus in Communist and accepted Reb Berl in that Reb Berl set up the Rebbe’s table Russia, at a time when Chassidic life Yechidus. Reb Berl asked for the Farbrengen. Over the course and studying Torah were conducted the Rebbe to write the of the following decades, Reb Berl underground and fraught with danger. details of the Yechidus fulfilled this responsibility faithfully. His father was vigilant to give Berl and for him. The Rebbe sug- Prior to every Farbrengen, he would his siblings an authentic Chassidish gested that Reb Berl write enter the Rebbe’s room, and the Rebbe chinuch. the Yechidus and that he would give him the kos on which the would edit it. After the Rebbe would later make kiddush and At the outbreak of World War II, the Rebbe assumed the nesius say L’chaim. Reb Berl merited to be the family escaped to Tashkent from and started wearing a Rebbe’s Saar Hamashkim, the butler Moscow, and in 1944, the 17-year-old kapota instead of a suit, the who poured the wine for the Rebbe, Berl went to Samarkand to study in Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka at the Farbrengen. In later years, he the underground Yeshiva Tomchei gave the Rebbe’s suit to passed this honor to Horav Mentlik, Tmimim, receiving Torah from the Reb Berl as a gift. the Rosh Yeshiva in Yeshivas Tomchei elder Chassidim and Mashpiim. Tmimim in 770. In 1988, when Horav come to Paris to greet her and escort When the Rebbetzin Chana learned Leaving Russia Mentlik was nifter, Reb Berl resumed her to the United States. that Reb Berl had arrived in the United this function. In 1946, the chance to leave Russia States, she invited him to her house. A Shochet in Dublin, Ireland for Poland became a reality. The Jews After that first visit, the Rebbetzin Kiruvim from the Rebbe from Russia traveled to Poland under The PreviousR ebbe suggested that Reb asked that Reb Berl continue visiting Reb Berl merited many private and the guise of being Polish citizens who Berl study shechita under the auspices her. At times, when the Rebbe would rare kiruvim from the Rebbe. The had escaped during the war and were of Rabbi Zalman Shimon Dworkin. leave the shul on Friday night after Rebbe once told him, “My father-in-law returning to their homeland. Reb Berl then found work as a shochet Maariv, he would ask Reb Berl to visit took you on his shoulders, and all the in Dublin, Ireland. From there the meat his mother. Reb Berl continued this Polish passports generally contained bochurim could be envious of you.” was sent to Israel. tradition and visited the Rebbetzin the citizen’s name with a list of the indi- every Friday night. During the famous Farbrengen of Par- vidual’s children on the side, without After a year, Reb Berl was instructed shas Shmini in 1952, which Chassidim identifying photos. The people organiz- by the Previous Rebbe to go to Brunoy, A Ben Bayis by the Rebbe refer to it as the “Shabbos Hagodol ing the mass exit from Russia needed France where he studied for the next From then on, Reb Berl became a ben Farbrengen”, the Rebbe Farbrenged to separate some families and add their three years. bayis, a member of Rebbetzin Chana’s the whole afternoon and spoke to many children to other families in order that In the winter of 1950, the Previous household and also that of the Rebbe’s. people privately. TheR ebbe also spoke the number of children that appeared Rebbe advised the Yeshiva faculty Prior to the Rebbe’s nesius, the Rebbe to Reb Berl for about fifteen minutes. on the passports should be consistent that the bochurim should come to the told Reb Berl, “I know you are one of Reportedly, the Rebbe called Reb with the number of children present. United States. Reb Berl traveled to the my people,” and from that moment Berl over and held onto his beard as Reb Berl Junik merited to be listed on U.S. with his friends, Horav Yitzchok he merited to serve the Rebbe. The he spoke to him. The Rebbe then said the passport of the Rebbetzin Chana, Pewzner, who would later become Rebbetzin once made a comment to about him, “Such yungeleit will bring the Rebbe’s mother, and be identified as his brother-in-law, Horav Sholom Reb Berl’s children that she considered Moshiach.” her child. This marked the beginning of Morosow, and Horav Gedalia Korf, may them trustworthy, in the merit of the an extraordinary relationship with Bais The Rebbe asked Reb Berl how long it he be live and be well. The bochurim trust in Reb Berl. On other occasions, HoRav, the Rebbe’s family. had been since he had seen his parents. arrived on Rosh Chodesh Shvat. The train left Lvov, situated on the Rus- Reb Berl arrives to the Previous sian-Polish border, on Rosh Chodesh Rebbe Kislev 1946. Reb Berl was instructed to say that he was the Rebbetzin Chana’s On the 4th of Shvat, the four bochu- son, if asked to identify himself. The rim in addition to Horav Dovid Rebbetzin did not utter a word during Raskin who had just arrived from the entire trip. Reb Berl who helped Paris, merited to enter Yechidus with the Rebbetzin with her luggage, later the Previous Rebbe. recalled: “There was great fear, and Reb Berl recalled the Yechidus. no one dared to mention the name “When we entered the Rebbe’s room, ‘Schneerson’. Somehow, I found out his secretary, Rabbi Rotshtein, intro- that she was the Rebbetzin Chana, duced us to the Rebbe. The Rebbe the muchutenesta of the Previous looked at each of us. I entered last Rebbe.” and was introduced as Berl Junik. In addition to the Rebbetzin and Reb The Rebbe continued looking at Berl, a large group of Chassidim was me. Rabbi Rotshtein stated that I May 16, 2008 ~ crOWN heights 5

Reb Berl said he hadn’t seen them Reb Berl recalled, “When I became Berl was also given additional tasks by in five years. The Rebbe stated that engaged, the Rebbetzin told me that she the Rebbe to help him keep the sad the time had come to visit them. The knew the kallah. I later verified that in news from his mother, the Rebbetzin. Rebbe arranged the travel documents 1947 my wife was in France and studied Vov Yishrei 5725 (October 1964), to Montreal, where they were living, at a school there. When the Rebbetzin and asked if Reb Berl had bought a was leaving for the United States, the On Shabbos Shuva, the 6th of Tishrei gift for his parents. He hadn’t, and the school prepared a long speech and asked (October 1964), the Rebbetzin Chana Rebbe commented, “Such a batlonus, I my wife to deliver this farewell address became ill. The Rebbe’s visited his didn’t expect from you.” TheR ebbe gave in honor of the Rebbetzin at a gathering mother that morning. He instructed Reb Berl money for the trip and for the in the Butman family home. Reb Berl to keep a constant watch gifts, and stressed that the gifts should on the Rebbetzin and to update him Rebbetzin Chana participated at my be purchased before he reached his regularly on her condition. TheR ebbe tenoim and the wedding. When she parents. He added, “You are probably also instructed Reb Berl to stay in arrived at the wedding, she asked to traveling at night. Make sure that you contact with Dr. Seligson, the Rebbe’s be photographed together with the book a sleeper on the train in order to personal physician and that of his Kallah and then by herself. This is the rest during the trip.” household. After the histalkus of the famous picture that we have today of Rebbetzin Chana, the Rebbe entrusted In 1953 before Shavuos, the Rebbe the Rebbetzin. In one of my chupa Reb Berl with the task of securing his asked Reb Berl if he was buying a suit pictures, the Rebbe is standing and father’s seforim and bringing them to for Yom Tov. Reb Berl answered that listening to the reading of the Kesuba. In 1990, the Rebbe appointed Reb Berl the Rebbe’s house. Some time after the he was not planning to. TheR ebbe told I placed this picture in a frame and gave a member of the board of Machne Israel shiva, the Rebbe gave Reb Berl specific him that it is was worthwhile to do so it to the Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka, and of Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch. items of furniture which the Rebbetzin and gave him money for a suit. After and she placed it in the Rebbe’s study had used, adding, “Why should a Yid It is noteworthy to mention that although purchasing the suit, he returned to the in the house. not use this, especially someone who Reb Berl merited being close to Bais Rebbe, who asked if he was wearing the The Rebbe gave me a gift of eight merited serving my mother. She surely HoRav and serving there, it did not in new suit. TheR ebbe wanted to see how handkerchiefs as a ‘preparation for the will have a nachas ruach that you are any way affect his Chassidishkeit. Reb the suit looked on him and asked him to wedding’.” In the following years, Reb using it.” Berl never stood out more than other turn around and then commented, “It Berl had eight children. Prior to their Chassidim and Tmimim. He remained a seems to me that it is slightly short.” During the passage of many years, Reb weddings, each one of them received discrete person of utmost humility, who Berl made his parnossa in the jewelry The kiruvim thatR eb Berl experienced one of the handkerchiefs as “a prepara- never utilized his position for himself business and in his free time studied were expressed more strongly when he tion for the wedding”. in any way. Nigleh and Chassidus in public shiurim. reached the time for shidduchim. The After the wedding,R eb Berl worked as This was in addition to conducting In 2005, on the 9th of Iyar, after suffer- Rebbe acted towards him as a father to a a shochet for a year. He was offered a a Tanya shiur during the work day. ing an illness, with his family members son, becoming involved and concerned position in another state but turned it Reb Berl was always available to give at his side, Reb Berl returned his soul in every detail. On one occasion the down because he did not want to leave his time and energy for any sacred to her creator. He was buried near the Rebbe said, “We need to take in consid- the Rebbe. matter. Holy Ohel facing the resting place of eration that the bochurim, Berl Junik, the Rebbetzin Chana. Sholom Morosow, and may he live and This is how he came to teach the be well, Dovid Raskin were born and bochurim shechita in a special course Reb Berl and his wife, may she live and brought up in Russia and cannot adjust under the auspices of Merkos L’Inyonei be well, Mrs. Fruma Junik, a woman of to the American lifestyle.” It was clear Chinuch in 1956. Many shluchim were valor and a communal person in her own that the Rebbe intended to represent trained in this class over the next forty right, merited to build a beautiful family their parents and involve himself in years. In the evenings, after a long and of Chassidish sons and daughters, who their shidduchim. In Yechidusen, the full work day, he stood with complete are following the ways of their ancestors Rebbe urged and encouraged Reb Berl patience and commitment and trained and involved in the Rebbe’s matters. to become actively involved in shid- groups of students to be come shochtim Reb Berl left behind his wife, Mrs. duchim. During one of the Yechidusen, and bodkim. In addition to this, he Fruma Junik; his sons, HoRabbonim the Rebbe told him, “Hashem makes Reb Berl recalled, “At one point, we served as a member of the Gemilas Hatmimim: Reb Yosef Yitzchok and Reb miracles, but it is expected that one were having difficulty with parnossa. I Chesed Shomrei Shabbos. In the Avrohom Boruch, of Crown Heights; also needs to act in the natural way. Do already had three children. TheR ebbe early 1960’s, Reb Berl and Rabbi Elye his daughter, Mrs. Nechama Itkin you want to get up one morning and advised me to consult a wealthy indi- Gross spent their afternoons on the and her husband, Reb Yosef Yitzchok, immediately stand under the chupa? vidual. He also asked how long I had first days Sukkos at 770, dispatching Shluchim in Pittsburgh, AP ; his sons, You are looking at me with terrified been out of work. I answered that it had and directing yungeleit and bochurim Reb Shimshon and Reb Meir Shlomo eyes. Your parents are in Canada, and been three weeks. The Rebbe wanted doing Mivtza Lulav. They tried to reach of Crown Heights; his son, Reb Men- you are not doing anything. Think to know what I earned each week. He as many people as possible and bring achem, shliach in England; his son, Reb about this. If you will not do anything, then gave me a sum of money equal them the mitzva of making the brocho Dovid, of Crown Heights; his daughter I will write to your parents.” to three weeks of work. After that, the on the lulav and esrog. Mrs. Chana Spielman, the wife of Reb situation improved.” Engagement and Wedding In 1967, when the Rebbe initiated the Sholom Ber of Crown Heights; and their Entrusted with situations in the Tefillin campaign, Reb Berl would children, among whom are Shluchim, Before Pesach 1954, Reb Berl became Rebbe’s household travel to a hospital every Sunday to and grandchildren. engaged to Ms. Fruma Pewzner, the put on Tefillin with the patients there. daughter of the Gaon, Chossid, and 13th of Iyar 1952 Yehi Zichro Boruch! May Reb Berl, a In 1982, Reb Berl was asked by Rabbi man of self-sacrifice, Reb Avrohom legendary chossid known for his total On the 13th of Iyar, the bitter news Hodakov to involve himself with the Boruch. TheR ebbe blessed the chosson commitment to the Rebbe’s needs, was relayed to the Rebbetzin Chaya bochurim who were not studying in and kallah with many blessings, and without any expression of self-esteem or Mushka that the Rebbe’s brother Reb yeshiva any longer, set up a learning instructed that the chosson and his pride, his devotion to dedicating his free Yisroel Arye Leib had been nifter. The time with them, and mekarev them. father both receive aliyos to the Torah. time to spreading the Rebbe’s Mivtzoim, Rebbetzin asked Reb Berl to have Reb Reb Berl was, B”H, successful, and this When the gabai informed them that no and his refined character traits, serve as Shmuel Levitin come and speak to her. shiur is still bearing fruit today. The openings for two aliyos were available, the inspiration to commit ourselves to The Rebbetzin Chana was not told, Rebbe also assigned Reb Berl private as the Rebbe suggested that they be called the Rebbe’s directives, to fulfill them and the Rebbe requested that no one well as more publicly known missions. up to the Torah at Mincha. spiritually and physically, and to relate should share the news with her. Dur- In his work attending to the Rebbe’s to our fellow Jews in a refined manner The wedding was set for the 9th of ing the course of the shiva, the Rebbe practical requirements, he participated in speech and deed. Sivan. The Rebbe was the mesader mentioned to Reb Berl that he did not in the construction of the Rebbe and kiddushin and officiated at the chupa. want his mother to realize that he was the Rebbetzin’s living quarters in the We should speedily witness, “The ones Rebbetzin Chana attended the wedding wearing sneakers instead of shoes. Reb library, built a sukka near the Rebbe’s who dwell in the dust will awaken and and sat at the Kallah’s head table. Berl covered the Rebbe’s sneakers with room, and more. rejoice,” with Reb Berl among them. black shoe polish to disguise them. Reb 6 CROWN HEIGHTS ~May 16, 2008 Shiduchim

goyishe ideals that have nothing to do (did I not write it is like talking politics Finding A Needle in A Haystack with our ideal of beauty or modesty. where no one can agree?), but I find it By Sarah Junik tendency is to examine everything with incomprehensible how young couples It is also a question of education. For a magnifying glass and then to go for can so blatantly insult parents in their As I mentioned last week, I will continue whatever reason, if one mentions the the microscope, take a step back and own house. the list of questions one can use to get word tznius in conversation, it is almost do not examine so much. Stick to the information on a girl, but first I wish to as bad a religion and politics; it is bound • Is she fashion conscious? important traits and questions and share a story someone related recently. to raise animosity and resistance. forget the irrelevant questions about All we want to know is if she is obsessed I do not know if the story is true or not scraping the dishes or tying the shoes. In reality, tznius is a beautiful thing. by fashion and must always try the as the one who told me the story did Asking if he has a good voice or not may It is a well of self confidence that we latest styles or does she dress stylishly not know the protagonists, but it clearly be appropriate when hiring a chazzan, women and girls have that enables us to but have other areas of interest besides illustrates a very important point. but it will not make or break a marriage. dress in a pleasant and pleasing way and the latest color in vogue. A shadchan offered a match to a family, At least not as a rule. still retain our dignity, our regal worth. • Does she help around the house? Rabbi and Mrs. Plony. Their son was a It allows us to feel well-dressed and So on to the questions. Let me say again Does she know how to cook? (a well-liked boy with good midos who au-currant without running after every that there are probably other questions bonus) knew how to learn. The parents natu- twitch and twist of the fashion world. that you might find important that I rally wished the best match for him. It enables us to be appreciated for who Many girls today do not help out in have not listed (write me a note) and They investigated the proposed name, we are and not for what we wear. the house, neither helping to take care questions which I have listed that you but the results were not encouraging. of the house or preparing meals, and may find irrelevant. So to get back to our question, we have No one said outright that there was I find that they are missing out in so a lot of different levels in our neighbor- anything wrong with the person, but • Does she have an even tempera- many different ways. hood, and I have come across the fact there were rumors, generalities, and ment. Give examples of what you that an eminently suitable girl will be First and most obvious, by helping take unfounded objections. Therefore, they mean- (subjective question). rejected because her hems are too high care of the house, the girls will learn decided not to continue with this shid- A woman’s anger is generally less or she does not wear stockings. The how to be balabustes in their own right: duch and told the shadchan that they intimidating than a man’s; therefore, decision to look more fashionable so how to organize their households; what were not interested. often one does not consider this an that she attracts the right attention, or is essential to equip a house; what one Mrs. Plony was upset that another important point, but it is good to know some would say to be more comfortable, can do without; how to organize or initially promising lead had come to if a girl is prone to mood swings or is is preventing a great girl from making supervise the cleaning, etc. They also nothing. The constant high and lows generally even-tempered. If she gets a good shidduch. learn basic home economics which will were very wearying, so after talking to angry, does she hold grudges or sulk? certainly come handy on a Kollel salary. We are letting our standards slip, and the shadchan, she went to the Kosel to Think of how your son’s temperament is They will also be able to cook a simple it is not beneficial in any way. Half daven that her son find his besherte. and direct the question as counterpoint. tasty meal without panicking. the problem is caused, by the way, by While pouring her heart out at the If your son has a very long fuse and does husbands who do not know the tznius There is also the opportunity for a Kosel, a girl stood next to her, davening not anger easily, then someone who is laws. growing closeness between mother herself with apparent deep sincerity. more volatile may be ok, but if he has and daughter which is engendered by When the girl saw the tears in the older a short fuse and so does she, it might So, if your son is concerned that his wife cooking and maintaining the house woman eyes, she approached her to see lead to too many sparks. wear the right length and be stricter together. The opportunity for heart- if there was any way she could be of help, with her tznius, this question should • Is she neat, organized? Give to-heart talks and lighthearted kidding and Mrs. Plony got into a conversation be asked. And it should be asked also examples of what you mean and joking around, which brings the with her. When Mrs. Plony mentioned when your son does not have a personal (subjective question). family closer together. Even if you she was from a particular sect of Chas- opinion at this point, but you do not have plenty of domestic help, let your sidim, the girl asked her if she knew of Some boys must have neatness around wish your daughter-in-law to sit across daughter help you; it will benefit you a family Plony that belonged to that them in order to feel relaxed or even from you at your table dressed in an both greatly. sect. Without revealing her own name, to be able to think calmly. Others can unsuitable manner. This encompasses the very surprised lady asked the girl function in the middle of a tornado. a whole other topic of course, and I Any constructive comments are welcomed why she was inquiring of them. The Some people are very organized in their know a lot of people will be riled up [email protected] girl answered that a certain shadchan thoughts; therefore, the chaos around had offered the son of this family as a them does not affect them as much, but shidduch, but after hearing that they for people whose thought processes are were looking into it, she did not hear not so organized, having neatness and anything further, and therefore, she a seder around is essential. If you, the was making limited inquiries into the mother, are very conscientious in your family herself to see if it was a possibil- cleaning and would not dream to leave ity. That is why she had come to the a dish in the sink before going to bed Kosel -- to daven for Siata D’shmaya no matter how tired you are, find out that she may soon find her shidduch. if that is a quality your son values or if After some more conversation, Mrs. he barely notices. If the wife of such a Plony discovered that this was a very boy is more concerned with having a warm-hearted girl, intelligent, and warm (warmkeit in yiddish not warm with good middos -- just what she was for heat) house than a spotless house, looking for her son. She revealed herself will this engender discord among the as that Mrs. Plony the girl was trying to couple? find, and a short time later the couple • Is she careful with tznius? was engaged. It is a sad fact that we as a community The nimshol of the story is clear to are not as careful with tznius as other everyone. If all you hear is vague communities. Because we work closely answers, unsubstantiated objections, with people in all stages of kiruv, we are and general answers, do not throw away anesthetized against seeing something the shidduch but refine your search; problematic in tznius. We accept that ask more pertinent questions; insist on people will go around without stockings confirmed information. Why put the in the summer, or wear skirts that are Eibishter to the extra trouble (such as short with slits or barely cover the knees to make the mother and the girl meet) and collars that are too open, and so because one has let themselves be on and so forth. This is also due to our swayed by rumors and hearsay. openness to the world at large: we are But like every coin has two sides, if your bombarded by ads and magazines and May 16, 2008 ~ crOWN heights 7

A Miracle in Lodz

Reb Chanoch Henoch Gottesman only too happy to take sport in killing Every room was examined, every door Oche, and he was the de-facto Shliach of you. You have to hide. Do something!” opened, every obstruction removed. Yiddishkeit in Florence. He was Flor- By Sarah Junik They looked at him with empty eyes and My fathers’ feet felt like they were made ence’s very vocal conscience. There was My father’s Yahrzeit is Friday the 11th answered that they were too old and too out of lead. If not for that gun, he might no community meeting where he would of Iyar. This will be the 29th year since tired to hide or run anymore. If they have tried running, but he would not not speak up to correct misconceptions his Petirah. He passed away “young” had to die, they would die. Whatever get even two feet away. Thank G – d, no or to teach how things should be done, for this day and age; he was only 61, was to be their fate, it was not in their one was on the third floor. He thought, and even when it seemed nothing would but for him to even reach 61 years was hands. My father would not take that they must all be on the fourth. There change anyway, he persevered. miraculous. as an answer and begged them to find a was time for one more Kapitel Tehilim. One year before Pesach he was invited hiding place, to do anything they could One step closer to the top, one step The majority of people my age in Crown to speak at an event, and the chairman do not to be found--if not for their own closer to death. Then they were there, Heights were brought up with stories of introduced him saying that surely sakes, at least for his. the last room. My father was ready; he heroism under the dark cloud of Stalin Professor Gottesman did not need had done what he could. He prepared Y”Sh and his henchmen. A minority Even as he said the words, my father introduction, and that although his himself. The door crashed open. They was brought up with different stories realized the impossibility of hiding speech undoubtedly would be inter- went in… and the room was empty. of heroism under the reign of terror in that room or for that matter in any esting, everyone could go back home Every time my father relived the story, of Hitler Y”Sh and his butchers. Our room. The furniture, whatever was there unaltered or affected in any way. So my you could hear the surprise in his voice, parents were survivors, not of labor to begin with, had either been traded father’s changed his introduction to: just like he felt that day. He always said camps but of extermination camps, and for food or favors, or burned as fuel. “On the contrary, I very much hope that Eliahu Hanovi must have come to get we, as survivors’ children, are guarantors Everything had been stripped. There my speech will definitely have an effect those people out of the building, or else that the Eibishter neither slumbers nor were no hiding places. and make you uncomfortable enough to they were angels in human form sent to sleeps and guards the remnant of Klal think upon my words.” He went down the steps and debated test him, because there was nowhere a Yisroel. Most of our parents did not tell with himself: Should he tell the Ger- person of flesh and blood could have For Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur us stories of what they experienced. It hidden himself. They continued up to the baal tokea came from Modena. was too deep within them and also too the roof and looked up there too, but From my earliest recollections he always close to the surface to be expressed. the building was truly empty. seemed to be an old man. In the last few As a survivor tried to clarify for me, years of our minyan he had difficulty how could she try to tell me of their After the war, he was sent with other blowing the shofar, and he had to keep experience? Is a person with the full refugees to a hospital in Merano, Italy. on trying. The teruos and tekios from ability to see able to explain colors to a From there, he was eventually trans- the big shul could be heard strong and blind person? ferred to Florence to the Careggi Hos- clear even by us across the garden, but pital. When the doctors told him he had Many of our family’s close friends were ours barely made it out of the shofar. only a couple of years to live, he decided survivors and sometimes discussed People became upset and demanded that he certainly would not spend what time their experiences among themselves, my father let one of them blow. But my he had left in a hospital, so he moved to but as they spoke in Polish, we did father was adamant that such a job was Florence. He could not go far because of not understand anything they said. for one who was sincere in his devotion the daily treatments he received. Professor Cohen, on the other hand, and in his learning and kept the mitzvot had gone through the war in the Italian My mother told us that in the 60’s the faithfully, no one else. underground and had been hidden on a mans about the mother and her children German government sent a high official As we got older, my father worried about farm by an Italian family. When Profes- and the old men? Maybe some of them to determine whether my father was where to send us to learn, especially the sor Cohen and my father sat together might manage to find a hole to hide in, truly still alive or if they were getting boys. The reason my brothers went to and reminisced about their experiences, but all of them? Impossible! If he told bogus medical bills and reports by the Gateshead’s Boarding school was typical I would hide within hearing distance to the Germans, it would mean certain doctors in Italy and Switzerland where of how things happened with my father. listen to their stories. That is how I know death for them, and if he did not tell he went for treatment. They believed We were in St. Moriz, Switzerland, and some of the experiences my father went them, would they take his word for it? that it was not medically possible for a my father had gotten into a discussion through during the war. Of course not, and that meant this time, person to be alive with such symptoms of business ethics with another guest, in it would be his turn to die. Even so, he and tests results. There is one story in particular that stays which he was most adamant in express- decided he would not be the one to in my mind. It happened while they were When my father first moved into town, ing the fact that business is not business give his own people over to the Nazis. liquidating the Lodz Ghetto: the Florentine community, although if it conflicts with halacha and the right If they were found, that was their fate, My father was walking by a building small, was viable. There was aR ov, and way of doing things. Rabbi Gruner the but he would not help the Germans in which had been emptied when an SS they had a daily minyanim. There was head of the Gateshead boarding school any way. So he told the SS that there detail passed. One of the SS took my a kosher mikveh, (ironically, after it was was learning close by but was so inter- were no people inside, the building father by the collar, shoved him inside, renovated, it was not kosher any more) ested in the conversation that he kept was completely empty, and they could and told him to go through the building and a shochet. When I was young, it getting closer and closer to hear better. move on. and bring anyone he found down to was already much harder to live in When the other guest went away, he As he anticipated, the SS did not take my the street. Whoever he found would be Florence. We got our meat from Milan started to talk to my father, telling him father’s word for it and decided to check shot. He went up, and on the third floor once a month and we had to kasher it how he liked his philosophy, and in the the building for himself. He took his there was a mother with her children. He and pack it away in a big freezer. Other course of the conversation Rabbi Gruner revolver out of the holster and placed it asked her why she was still there after staples we got from Lugano or Zurich. offered to accept my brother (then a 12 at the nape of my father’s head and told the building had been evacuated. If they The only Cholov Yisroel we had was year old) into his boarding school. him to climb the stairs. So my father found her, they would kill her and her when we went to the farmer ourselves climbed and started to say Viduy; this From my father, Reb Chanoch Henoch children. She answered him that they and supervised the milking. There was was the end, he thought. He felt the cold Gottesman, we all learned to be uncom- had killed her husband, and she had no a minyan only for Shabbos and Yom metal of the revolver on his neck. He promisingly proud of our Yiddishkeit, family she could go to, no-one to turn Tov. My siblings and I grew up learning davened; after all, he knew that even if to learn from anyone, no matter their to, and she was tired of trying to cope on from the example set by my parents. My the old men hid themselves, the mother affiliation, and never stop learning. To her own; she could not and would not mother taught us Alef-Beis and other and the children would be found. If not be conscious that we are in golus - he move. After trying for a few minutes to basics. As the only frum Jews in Flor- all of them, then some of them would would sign all his letters “Mi Golus persuade her to try and hide at least as ence, we knew we were a living example be discovered, and as punishment for Firenze” – and have emunah in the many of the children as she could, he and whatever we did would be noted. lying to the SS, he would be killed. They Eibishter, “Kol man d’ovid Rochmana continued on with a heavy heart. could not have gotten out. There was When the Rebbe sent his shliach, Rabbi l’tov ovid.” He reached the fourth floor, and in a only the one door to the street where Garelik, to Italy, and Gan Yisroel was He was zoche to have children and small room just under the roof, there the other SS waited, and certainly there opened, we had the first opportunity to grandchildren who are talmidei cha- were four old men sitting on a bed frame, was nowhere for so many people to hide. go to camp in the summer and be friends chomim and oskim b’Mitzvos. May their hands between their knees, their This was it. with other frum Yidden our age. my father and my mother, shetichiye, heads lowered. My father was now des- The German checked the first floor, then My father led an Ashkenazy minyan in have nachas from us, our children, and perate; he yelled at them: “Why are you the second. On they went to the third. an old shul built in the 1600s’ in Via delle grandchildren. just sitting around! The Germans are 8 CROWN HEIGHTS ~May 16, 2008 From Shedlitz to Safety

A Young Jew’s Story of Survival ing. Needless to say, the cuisine was far from exceptional. After all, how could By Rabbi Shimon Goldman shelves, when we suddenly saw an even suitable location — a large home in yeshiva bochurim be expected to cook greater novelty — no one was watching decent condition. They gave us the Exerpted from the book with the gourmet meals? the cash register! Storeowners mingled entire first floor to use as a synagogue author’s permission with the customers, totally unperturbed and study hall. TheA mshinover Rebbe The monitors were also responsible On the ship, I recalled an explanation I about the money lying around on the lived on the second floor. Seeing as we for cleanup. The room had to be swept heard regarding the verse, “And Yakov left table. Upon inquiry, the storeowners established our yeshiva in the same and mopped from all the peels, spills Be’er Sheva, and went toward Charan” told us about the strict punishment house, the Rebbe came down during the and stains that are an inevitable part of (Gen. 28:10). These two verses symbolize meted out to thieves — anyone caught morning prayers to daven with us and every yeshiva meal, and the monitors two types of travel. In the first instance, the stealing had their hand cut off!A ppar- hear Borchu, Kedusha, and leining. enjoyed this task least of all. (Cleanup individual has a single interest — escape. ently, this served as the best deterrent was further complicated by the fact I remember when, one morning, the In the second instance, there is a specific of all; people were simply afraid to that most floors in Japan were made of Rebbe came downstairs late and asked destination involved and the entire trip is steal. Moreover, the perpetrator had straw mats, not from wood or stone.) the first bochur he met where the min- aimed at reaching a certain place. the word “thief” stamped into his Once, one of the boys started listing yan was at. “The chazan just said ‘the identification papers, and his children excuses why he could not participate in Our journey fit the first category. We King who brings death,’ the boy curtly were all branded as “the sons of a thief.” this detestable chore, until his partner had absolutely no interest in traveling replied. TheR ebbe stamped his foot in These penalties kept potential thieves purposely upset a pail of water all over to Japan; we wanted only to escape. In consternation. “… And restores life,” he out of work, to the extent that no one the floor. “You see?” he then said, “we truth, Japan was just another stop — said firmly, concluding the phrase. needed to guard the cash register or have to clean up now anyway…” our final destination was to live near Postcard From Home To Kobe Despite the the Rebbe Rayatz again. Yet, the Our accommodations were arranged My parents had to write to me in Polish or German to make sure strange sur- closer we came to Japan, the happier that the Germans would allow the mail to go through. according to traditional Japanese roundings, we we felt. No longer would we endure custom. There were no beds. In fact, I kept up our anti-Semitic rule and propaganda, cannot recall ever seeing a bed in Japan. daily yeshiva no longer would we suffer under Instead, we spread our sheets over schedule. oppressive regimes. We were on our the bare floor, and these became our All the boys way to a better life. new “mattresses.” I then understood a showed up to central behavior in Japanese etiquette, learn Nigleh Japan whereby people remove their shoes and Chas- Adaptation and Change before entering a home. Since most of sidus, and the the day is spent sitting or sleeping on the The trip fromV ladivostok to the port yeshiva rever- floor, it seemed unhygienic to tread all of Japan was a short one. Members berated with over the same floor with dirty shoes. of the local Jewish Federation were the sounds of on hand as we disembarked the ship. Torah. We all Our study hall however, did not look They helped us immensely, doing had our worries different than it did back at home. We everything to ease our acclimatiza- and problems sat on chairs, studying and swaying tion to the Japanese way of life. For — especially and studying in the usual position. merchandise of any store! convenience, we abbreviated the name since our families were still stranded Despite our new surroundings, we did of this agency and changed it to Polish, We traveled by train to Kobe — a city in Europe — but we understood our our utmost to continue acting as Chas- converting “Jewish Federation” to “Yev- with a prestigious Jewish community, special responsibility, our unique duty sidim, learning and praying as though kum” (Yev — “Jew,” Kum — “Com- active lay leaders, communal rabbis to keep the yeshiva functioning in a way nothing had changed. We also went mittee”). Our address now became: and large synagogues. Due to the war, that would make the Rebbe proud. to mikva on a daily basis — hardly an the Yevkum, Kobe, Japan. I still have a the main synagogue became the center easy feat in Japan, where only the very When it came to our meals, however, letter from my father addressed to the for incoming refugees, assisting and rich owned bathtubs and showers. All we faced new problems. Every place has Yevkum — his last letter before being placing the many new faces arriving the locals used the closest bathhouse, its peculiar conditions and habits, and murdered by the Nazis. steadily in Japan. Most of the work was a big building that contained a huge Japan was certainly no exception. One done in a cluster of offices adjoining the pool of water. People would come to the Special transit visas facilitated our entry of the first oddities we noticed was the synagogue. After the work day, local bathhouse, fill up pails of water from the into Japan, but these papers were valid lack of normal bread. Rice, a basic staple Jews went straight to the synagogue to pool, and rinse themselves off.L eft with for only three months and our future in Japan, was used in every dish, includ- meet the newcomers and learn the latest no alternative, we used these communal still seemed uncertain. Though we ing bread. We simply could not find news about the devastation spreading pools for our daily mikvah dip. could hardly imagine what would hap- bread made from wheat flour or other throughout Europe. pen after the visas expired, we pushed standard grains. The rice bread was In Japan of those days, refrigeration these unpleasant thoughts out of our The shul area became something of pearly white, light and almost hollow, simply did not exist. Local residents minds as we tried to organize our daily a social scene for the unemployed and could only be obtained with special kept their perishable items out in the routine. After all, we reasoned, three refugees who sat around swapping bread coupons. Meat was another courtyards, where the temperature months is also time. war stories and experiences. Whoever problem. Organized shechita did not dropped during the night and kept wanted to hear the latest news of the exist in Kobe, and it was extremely the food somewhat fresh. We also used The initial days were very hard on ongoing war just needed to sit a while difficult to find kosher meat. As such, this primitive mode of refrigeration, us. This was our first time in a non- in the synagogue. People were always our diet consisted chiefly of fish, fruit with tragi-comic results. One Friday European country and we had a difficult coming in with the news bulletins, and vegetables. afternoon, we placed a small quantity time adjusting. Jews have always been rumors, and other developments. of fried fish in the courtyard, hoping different than the gentile nations and Here we were, thirty students in all, to keep it fresh for the Shabbos meal. we felt this acutely in Japan. The Yevkum organized sleeping quar- yet someone needed to arrange our (As mentioned earlier, kosher meat ters for us — a two-story building meals. This was hardly an easy job: The first novelty we encountered upon was practically non-existent in Kobe, which we shared with the bochurim in the past, we had spent our time entering the city were — stores! The forcing us to use fish instead of meat of Mir. Though we still felt like aliens immersed in study and prayer, and stores overflowed with an abundance for the Shabbos meals.) That night, as in our new home, we were fortunate we lacked the most basic culinary of fresh fruit, vegetables and dried we slept, a light rain fell over Kobe. The that, in ourselves, we comprised a experience. We decided to share the fruit, each arranged in methodical rain soaked our store of fish, causing group thirty strong — large enough responsibility evenly. Every day, two or fashion. Other stores sold suits and it to become flaccid and spoiled. Not to bond together and create our own three bochurim spent the day gathering leather clothing; some sold furniture realizing that it had rained, we ate the familiar environment. We now began food, cooking whatever they could, and and suitcases. As European bochurim fish on Shabbos afternoon and quickly looking for places to eat. As true yeshiva serving the meals. They started off in from poverty-stricken homes, we could felt the consequences. That night, we bochurim, we also wanted a large room the local markets, searching the stalls only stare in wonder at the seemingly were stricken with the most terrible where we could continue learning and for kosher fish and edible produce. They endless supply of goods. stomach pains, as our bodies protested praying. then dragged the bundles of food back the digestion of rotten fish. We began wandering around the stores, to the yeshiva, where they set about Sensitive to our needs, the Yevkum feasting our eyes on the plentiful peeling and slicing, cutting and cook- combed the area until they found a May 16, 2008 ~ crOWN heights 9

A Hamas Summer Education the dire economic straits of the Gaza poison that will unavoidably bring families by offering to care and feed further sickness to the region. When By Rabbi Shea Hecht other on an equal keel. The poor and for their children while concealing the children are finished with all their rich are equalized. Everyone has the the organization’s true motives. The years in camp, they are full-fledged Imagine if an ad same bed, same cubbies, and same food, indoctrination in these summer camps members of Hamas, ready to sacrifice for summer camp and everyone goes home to the same is comparable to Hitler’s youth groups.” themselves as suicide bombers. Pal- read, “Give your “house” every night. Most children find Though I don’t doubt that the parents estinian children as young as 11 years children a summer it to be an amazing experience, which are poor, it’s hard for me to imagine that old have tried killing Israelis. It makes of enjoyment! Let they look forward to all throughout the they are unaware of the camp’s mission me wonder: What summer camp did them learn a skill! school year. when they send their children there. they go to? Teach them to kill.” It would be shocking, wouldn’t it? The “San Francisco Chronicle” article It’s difficult for me view these camps as There are so many different summer The ad is imaginary, but just as other told about summer camps created by harmless in the face of comments from camps all around the world, many of specialty camps teach children vari- Hamas terrorists for the poor children Hamas officials (such as Gaza leader them with their own specialty: swim- ous skills, according to a recent “San of the Gaza, to indoctrinate the children Mahmoud al-Zahar) who said that in ming, dancing, arts, horseback riding, Francisco Chronicle” article, there is a to be suicide bombers. spite of the shaky truce with Israel right or even religion. Yet no summer camp camp that teaches children to kill. now, they will continue to attack Jewish does what the Hamas camps do - take The children attending Hamas summer settlements in theW est Bank until the an impressionable child and mold him Why do parents send their children camps learn all the skills that other Jews leave. He also said he remains into a murderer. away to summer camp? Mostly because children learn in camp plus more. They devoted to the destruction of the State Rabbi Hecht, is chairman of the board of the things they’ll gain from their stay also learn songs, including an intifada of Israel altogether. Raising these of the National Committee for the Fur- in camp - particularly in a specialty song urging them to “kill the Zion- children to be future suicide bombers therance of Jewish Education (NCFJE), camp. The camping experience teaches ists wherever they are in the name of fits Hamas’ view of the future. continuing the tradition of social services children how to get along, how to follow G-d.” At one beach camp, attended by management and outreach. He is a Rabbi rules, how to work problems out with approximately 100 children, an instruc- Actually, the Hamas-sponsored sum- and activist in the Jewish community, their peers, and how to clean up after tor had a webbed belt strapped to his mer camps are a double-edged sword. focusing on family crisis intervention, themselves, among other things. Being stomach under his shirt. When asked These children deserve the chance to guiding and advising troubled youth and away from home and on their own helps by a reporter what it was, he smiled and enjoy the camaraderie of a summer their families, marriage counseling, and children mature. said, “Boom.” experience while exploring their talents drugs and cults counseling and consulta- and abilities. Hamas, by providing what tions. He can be reached at rabbishea@ Summer camp has a particular beauty. According to Israeli Prime Minister would otherwise be a luxury for these aol.com. Since no one has their parents with Ariel Sharon’s spokesman, Ra’anan kids, is getting away with feeding them them, children get to deal with each Gissin, “Hamas takes advantage of Shalhevet 10 CROWN HEIGHTS ~May 16, 2008 Parshas Hashavua

forgive. Therefore, the Torah declared, in honey” (Shemot 16:31). While one Vedibarta Bam ~ BeHar “A man shall not aggrieve his brother” would expect the people to be grateful By Rabbi Moshe Bogomilsky — it is forbidden to take from anyone, to Hashem for giving them such tasty first five days of creation. even a brother, without his knowledge food; they were nevertheless unsatisfied “וידבר ה’ אל משה בהר סיני... ושבתה and permission. and complained, “Our soul is parched, Our sages explain the pasuk, “He tells הארץ שבת לה’... there is nothing, we have nothing to )שמעתי הסיפור מהמשפיע הרב שמואל הלוי His words to Yaakov, His laws and His ובשנה השביעת anticipate but the manna!” (Bamidbar ז”ל לעוויטין( (judgments to Israel” (Psalms 147:19 שבת שבתון” 21:6) Why such ingratitude? “ונתנה הארץ פריה ואכלתם לשבע” -to mean that He commands the Jew “G‑d spoke to ish people to do the things which He Moshe on Mount “And the land shall yield her fruit and A Jewish person is compounded of does Himself (Shemot Rabbah 30:9). Sinai... the land you will eat your fill.” (25:19) an earthly body and a soul which To show how He, too, observes the shall observe a descended from Heaven. Our food mitzvah of yoveil, Hashem created Shabbat rest for QUESTION: Why does the Torah also contains sparks of G‑dliness. A the plants on the third day, but didn’t G‑d... the seventh emphasize “piryah” — “her fruit,” Jew is supposed to eat not only for allow them to grow out of the ground year shall be a complete rest for the rather than say “peirot” — “fruits”? physical strength but also lesheim as it was still the yoveil year. On the land.” (25:1-4) Shamayim — for the sake of Heaven sixth day of creation, the first day of the ANSWER: According to the Midrash (to have strength to serve Hashem and new year following the yoveil, Adam QUESTION: What is the connection Rabbah (Bereishit 5:9), when Hashem study Torah) — and by doing so, he was allowed to work the fields, and so between shemittah and Mount Sinai? created the world, the earth was capable elevates the sparks of G‑dliness in the Hashem answered Adam’s prayers for of producing fruit the very day it was food. This process is known as “birur rain and let the plants emerge. ANSWER: Shemittah is proof that the plowed and sowed. The trunk of the hanitzutzot” (separating and elevating )נחלת בנימין( Torah was given to the Jewish people tree was supposed to taste the same the G‑dly sparks), and is alluded to in as its fruit, and even non-fruit-bearing the Torah: “Not by bread alone does “וכי תמכרו ממכר לעמיתך או קנה מיד by Hashem. When the Torah relates trees yielded fruit. man live, but rather by everything עמיתך אל תונו איש את אחיו” the laws of shemittah, it also guarantees that although the fields will be idle in that emanates from the mouth of G‑d “When you make a sale to your fellow the seventh year, the crop of the sixth After Adam sinned, the earth was (G‑dliness within the food) does man or make a purchase from the hand of year will be blessed so that it will pro- live” (Devarim 8:3). your fellow, a man shall not aggrieve duce enough for three years; the sixth, his brother.” (25:14) seventh and eighth years. Since the manna was a Heavenly food, it was entirely holy, and thus needed QUESTION: Why is the emphasis Such a guarantee could only be given no spiritual elevation and there were on one’s “brother”; isn’t it forbidden to by Hashem. Thus, the Torah’s inclusion no sparks mingled with the physical defraud anyone? of the laws of shemittah, which were to elevate. Consequently, the Jewish certainly given by Hashem, proves that people were unsatisfied, because eating ANSWER: The famous Chassidic the entire Torah was given by Hashem such food was not in itself a spiritual Rabbi, Reb Nachum of Chernobyl was on Mount Sinai. service. once approached by a distinguished- looking person who offered to teach In addition, a human being knows When Hashem gave the Jews the mitz- him secrets of Torah. Reb Nachum said, that every year the harvest of the field vah of shemittah and instructed them “I cannot accept your offer until I con- becomes weaker, so that the first year to leave the fields idle, they worried sult with my Rebbe.” When he sought after shemittah it would yield the that during the seventh year Hashem his Rebbe’s advice, the Mezritcher most produce, and in the sixth year it would again sustain them with manna, Maggid replied, “It is good that you would yield the least. A human being and thus they became apprehensive came to ask, because that person was would not guarantee that which defies about the entire mitzvah of shemittah. a representative of the spiritual forces the laws of nature. Only Hashem, Therefore, Hashem said, “If you [righ- which oppose holiness.” who transcends and controls nature, teous people] say, ‘What will we eat in cursed and we no longer enjoy any of can promise something that is not in the seventh year?’ [apprehensive that it “Incidentally,” the Rebbe asked his dis- these blessings. All these qualities will accordance with nature. This, then, is would be manna, do not fear because] ciple, “What gave you the idea of inquir- occur again in the days of Mashiach proof that Torah was given to us from ‘I will bless the land to yield a sufficient ing before accepting his suggestion?” (Torat Kohanim, Bechukotai 1:3-6). Hashem on Mount Sinai. crop for the three-year period’ and, thus, you will continue to elevate G‑dly )חתם סופר( Reb Nachum answered, “When I was With the word “piryah” — her fruit — sparks by eating earthly food.” young, my mother passed away and my the Torah is hinting to us that after the “יובל הוא שנת החמשים שנה תהיה “את כספך לא תתן לו בנשך” father remarried. My stepmother was redemption, when we will come to Eretz לכם לא תזרעו” very cruel to me. I once came home Yisrael and observe the Torah and all “A Jubilee shall be that fiftieth year for “Your money you shall not give him from yeshivah for lunch when she was its precepts, the land will produce her you: you shall not sow.” (25:11) upon interest.” (25:37) not home and noticed that she had fruits according to her fullest potential QUESTION: On the third day of left some fried eggs on the stove. Not as it was in the days of creation. QUESTION: The Hebrew word for ”interest is “ribit”; why is “neshech )כ”ק אדמו”ר, י”א אייר תשמ”ט להרבנים creation, the plants only grew up to a wanting to waste time, I decided to ?used here הראשיים מאה”ק כשהיו אצלו( point immediately below the surface serve myself and took a portion smaller “וכי תאמרו מה נאכל בשנה השביעית... .of the ground. On the sixth day, after than what she would normally give me -ANSWER: Rich and poor alike some וצויתי את ברכתי לכם בשנה הששית his own creation, Adam prayed for She returned home while I was eating times need a loan, and a person may feel ועשת את התבואה לשלש השנים” .rain, and plants began to appear on and abruptly struck me across the face the earth’s surface. Why did they only I began to cry, and pleaded with her, somewhat depressed when he has to grow up to the surface and not further ‘Why did you hit me? I took less than “If you will say, ‘What will we eat in ask for a loan. The word “neshech” can on the third day? what I normally receive!’ She replied, the seventh year?’ I will command My also mean “bite.” The Torah is teaching ‘I am punishing you because alain blessing for you in the sixth year and it that when you are approached for a ANSWER: The first day of creation was nemt men nit — One should not take shall bring forth produce sufficient for loan, give it with a smiling countenance the 25th of Elul, with man being created anything alone without permission.’ three years.” (25:20-21) and a pleasant attitude. Do not make on Rosh Hashanah, the first of Tishrei Since that very day I learned not to biting comments that will distress the QUESTION: Such a question would (see Rosh Hashanah 8a). According take anything without permission, borrower. only be asked by a heretic. Why does to the Midrash (Psalms 90:4), “The regardless of how good or desirable it the Torah anticipate it and provide an Torah preceded the world by 2000 may be.” The same also applies when giving answer? years.” In accordance with the Torah tzedakah to the needy — give it with One may rationalize that it is justifiable command designating every fiftieth a smile, and don’t say anything that to cheat a brother because he should ANSWER: During the sojourn in the year to be yoveil (the Jubilee year, in would, G‑d forbid, add to the pain of extend his assistance to help family wilderness, Hashem sustained the Jew- which farmers in Israel are forbidden the poor person. members in time of need. Moreover, as a ish people on manna, about which the )מלאכת מחשבת( to work the land), the 2000th year was “brother” he will surely understand and Torah says, “It tasted like a cake fried the fortieth yoveil year, ending with the May 16, 2008 ~ crOWN heights 11

Vedibarta Bam ~ Pirkei Avos itself an aspect of our Divine service, echad” — that it is the words of the One as indicated by our Sages’ institution of and Only, he is committing a very grave the blessing “Shekachah lo be’olamo” iniquity and is guilty of a mortal sin. he was “Segan haKohanim” — a deputy “הסתכל בשלשה דברים, ואין אתה בא )שפתי אבות( that He has such things in His“ — .to many Kohanim Gedolim לידי עברה” world” — which a person is required to “Reflect upon three things and you will His students complained to him that recite upon seeing beautiful creations or This is supported with the pasuk “Guard not come to sin.” (3:1) the system was corrupt and that mea- pleasant looking trees (Rambam, Bera- your soul scrupulously lest you forget sures should be taken against the chot 10:13). However, its importance hadevarim asher ra’u einecha — the QUESTION: There is a “wondrous government. To this Rabbi Chanina does not compare with that of study. things your eyes have seen.” “Hade- Midrash” which says Adam sinned ”.varim” literally means “the words (ר’ עובדיה מברטנורה) responded, “If the government is because he only saw two, but not undermined, there will be a breakdown This may be a reference to the words “כל השוכח דבר אחד ממשנתו מעלה three. What is the interpretation of of law and order, and the situation will of “Anochi” and “Lo yiheye lecha,” עליו הכתוב כאילו מתחיב בנפשו” ?this Midrash actually worsen. Rather than bringing which Hashem personally uttered in ANSWER: Akavya ben Mahalaleil about its downfall, pray for the welfare “Whoever forgets anything of his Torah one word at Mount Sinai (Makkot says, “Reflect upon three things and of the government, and that it forsake learning, Scripture considers it as if he 24a, see Rashi, Shemot 20:1, Rashi), you will not come to sin: From where its corruption.” were guilty of a mortal sin.” (3:8) and with which Hashem declared the .G‑dliness of Torah )מוסר אבות – ר’ משה לייטער, נוא יארק you came — from a putrid drop; And QUESTION: Why is there such a harsh תש”ב( to where you are going — to a place of judgment for the person who forgets dust maggots and worms; And before The harshness is only directed to one ?”only “davar echad” — “one thing “המהלך בדרך ושונה ומפסיק ממשנתו who intentionally forgets that Torah ואומר, ‘מה נאה אילן זה מה נאה ניר Whom you are destined to given an ANSWER: Torah is not just another is Divinely given and who wants to זה,’ מעלה עליו הכתוב כאלו מתחיב accounting — before the Supreme book of knowledge. It is the infinite remove G‑dliness from Torah. It is not בנפשו” ”.King of Kings wisdom of Hashem. When He gave meant for one who becomes immersed Adam was an exception among the “One who walks on the road and studies the commandments on Mount Sinai, in his Torah study to the extent that he entire humanity. He was the creation [Torah], and interrupts his study and His opening word was “Anochi” ( ). becomes oblivious to everything. אנכי of G‑d’s hands. Consequently, “From remarks, ‘How beautiful is this tree! The Gemara (Shabbat 105a) says this where you came — from a putrid drop” How beautiful is this plowed field!’ is an acronym for “ana nashi kesivat It is related that the great Chassidic did not apply to him. Thus, the Midrash Scripture considers it as if he were guilty yehavit” ( ) — “I leader, Rabbi Shmelke of Nicholsburg, אנא נפשי כתיבת יהבית is saying that Adam sinned because of a mortal sin.” (3:7) myself wrote it [the Torah] and gave instructed his student the Seer of Lub- only two of the three things upon which it.” Chassidut offers a more profound lin, “If you ever should see me heavily ”.to reflect and avoid sin applied to him QUESTION: What is wrong with interpretation: Hashem wrote Himself engrossed in Torah study, and it should ?taking a recess during learning )לקוטי בתר לקוטי( into the Torah and gave Himself to appear that I am in a state of oblivion, ANSWER: Everything created in the K’lal Yisrael through it (Likkutei Torah, remind me not to forget about Him, world is the handiwork of Hashem with Bamidbar 48:4). G‑d forbid.” Once, when it appeared ירַּבִ חֲנִינָ אסְגַ ןהַ ּכֹהֲנִ ים אֹומֵ ר: ב a specific purpose. He is the Master to the student that his Rebbe was in הֱוֵי למִתְּפַּלֵ ּבִׁשְלֹומָ ּה לׁשֶ מַלְ כּות, The Mishnah is not merely talking of .of nature, and it is all governed by such a state, he was about to alert him אׁשֶאִלְמָלֵ מֹורָ ָאּה,אִ יׁש אֶ תרֵעֵ הּו חַּיִ ים forgetting one item of Torah knowledge, His Divine providence. Studying and Suddenly Reb Shmelke sensed it and .ּבְלָ עֹו but forgetting the One and Only — observing nature gives one an oppor- said, “My dear student, I remember.” Hashem. When a person studies Torah רבי חנינא סגן הכהנים אומר: הוי“ tunity to see the wonders of creation )לקוטי בתר לקוטי( and thinks that it is knowledge like any מתפלל בשלומה של מלכות, שאלמלא and the Omnipotence of Hashem; other knowledge and forgets “davar ”מוראה, איש את רעהו חיים בלעו there are even special blessings which “Rabbi Chanina, the deputy to the High one recites over wonders of nature and Priests says: Pray for the welfare of the beautiful trees (See Rambam, Berachot To the Crown Heights Community Newspaper: government, for were it not for the fear 10:13-16). of it, men would swallow one another I would just like to thank you for putting in the The Mishnah is talking of a person alive.” (3:2) information about our block shiur. You have no idea who interrupted his Torah studies to of the affect it has on the community. This was one of QUESTION: Why was Rabbi Chanina admire a beautiful tree or plowed field. my largest attendances ever. Rabbi Michoel Seligson called “the deputy to the Kohanim,” However, in lieu of extolling Hashem’s gave a most impressive talk on the Morning Brochas. in plural, and not in singular, “Segan greatness and giving Him the credit He gave a beautiful explanation why we say the Kohen Gadol”? and praise due, he accredits it all to the morning blessings. Every woman felt that the next laws of nature. ANSWER: According to the Gemara time she davens she will really understand the mean- (Yoma 9a) the first Beit Hamikdash When the person was studying Torah, ing behind the words of the prayers. Rabbi Eli Wolf lasted 410 years and had only 18 Koha- he envisioned His greatness and infinite gave an explanation on Perek Beis of Pirkei Avos. His nim Gedolim. The second Beit Hamik- wisdom. If he would use the time he insights, based on the teachings of the Rebbe, were dash lasted 420 years and had over 300 now occupies with nature to admire just phenomenal. All the women had a very inspiring Kohanim Gedolim, including Shimon His strength, it would not be so bad. Shabbos and are looking forward to this week’s shiur. HaTzaddik, who was Kohen Gadol But not to see it as gadlut haBorei — Mrs. Henya Laine for 40 years, and Yochanan, who was the greatness of the Creator — indeed Kohen Gadol for 80 years. The High justifies a harsh judgment. Priests were so numerous during the In fact, the Zohar (Shemot 161a) says second Beit Hamikdash because the that when Hashem created the world, Roman government decided to sell the the Torah was His blueprint. Thus, in a position of Kohen Gadol to whomever sense, when a person observes nature he would pay the exorbitant price. Since can view it as a continuation of Torah’s they were not tzaddikim, they would vastness. Making an “interruption” PIRKEI AVOS SHIUR usually die on Yom Kippur when they between Torah and nature, and saying The longest running English Shiur in Crown Heights--26 years went into the Kodesh Hakadashim — that Torah is Divinely given but that and still going strong! Inner Sanctuary. nature is the product of chance, is a For Women and Girls Rabbi Chanina was a great tzaddik and grave iniquity. 5:30-6 PM Halachos of Tefilla with Rabbi Michoel Seligson a deputy to the Kohen Gadol. Normally, 6-7 PM Pirkei Avos Mrs. Rivky Kotlarsky after the death of the Kohen Gadol, he would have been appointed to the Scripture considers it as if he were guilty Different Speaker on Pirkei Avos each week. position. However, the Roman govern- of a mortal sin.” Congregation ANASH 770 Montgomery St. ment always sold the position of Kohen Alternatively, appreciation of the great- Use women's entrance on the side of the building. Gadol, and Rabbi Chanina remained an ness of Hashem’s creative powers is in assistant to the new Kohen Gadol. Thus, 12 CROWN HEIGHTS ~May 16, 2008 Health Interest

The RAMBAM Lifestyle Healthier Lifestyle. of your family. It makes everything much simpler. By Yaakov Bam, and had serious health issues, including “This time, with the help of my Nutri- Nutrition and Wellness Consultant diabetes and heart failure. tional Advisor, I learned to stay at the • Walking is the best way to start support group meetings and really any exercise routine. The Rambam: “I started to use weight-loss supple- listen to what it is all about: lifestyle ments. I lost a lot of weight quickly. “Overeating is like change. • Drink water, water, and more After that, I started getting sicker. I poison to anyone’s water. The body yearns for it and gained much of the weight back and body. It is the main “My wife is my number one supporter. depends on it. ended up in the emergency room. The source of all illness. Without her support, I could not have hospital doctor told me that I would Most illnesses which accomplished any part of this weight • Enjoy every day. Analyze your need a heart transplant or weight loss a ffl ict a man are loss. When she started cooking health- mistakes and celebrate your to continue staying alive. caused by harmful foods or by his filling ier, I changed my eating habits and as success. his belly and overeating, even healthful a result, lost about 65 pounds. I know foods.” (Hilchos Deos 4:15) He adds, I will be eating this way for the rest of To be continued “The consumption of a little bad food my life. I get some type of exercise as Yaakov Bam, MS, is a member of is less harmful than the consumption many days of the week that I can. American Association of Nutritional of a lot of good and healthy food.” (The Consultants. He focuses on guiding and Regimen of Health 1:1) “My heart became strong again. My advising institutions, families and private energy level since I have lost the weight individuals in implementing the RAM- Plagued by health issues, Chaim was has skyrocketed. It feels so great to be BAM Lifestyle. Yaakov can be reached given the choice of having open heart able to get down on the floor and play at [email protected] or by phone, surgery or losing weight. He took 65 with my kids and not need someone to (347)564-2874. To find out more details pounds off and avoided surgery. help me get up!” about the RAMBAM Lifestyle, please see preceding and upcoming articles of the Chaim relates: “At 43 years old I found Health Tips for Your Good Health Interest series. To register for a free myself in the position of making a Lifestyle Health Lifestyle seminar, please contact choice between heart surgery and “My doctor told me that there is only Yaakov Bam. weight loss. I was extremely overweight one real solution to the problem - a • Never do it alone. Get the support

Tzedakah with a New Twist - Charitable Remainder Trusts

By Mordy Schachter, CRAT vs. CRUT the value of the CRT asset with an get a tax break, and a cause you care Agent New York Life irrevocable life insurance trust. about gets much-needed funds. And Insurance Company There are two ways in which you can you still receive income from the asset, receive your income from a CRT. One Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts even after giving it away.K eep in mind, You would like to make way is through a charitable remainder while the CRT is a very useful tool, it a charitable donation to annuity trust (CRAT), where you Here’s how it works: Person “A” uses is also complicated because tax laws a cause you care about, receive a pre-determined, fixed dollar some of the income he receives from the are constantly changing. Please make perhaps to a Gemilas payment each year. The other way is the CRT to fund an irrevocable life insur- sure to consult with your tax, legal and Chesed organization, or to a Yeshiva or ance trust. The trust buys life insurance accounting professionals. a Chabad House. But you’re not quite on “A”s life. When “A” passes away, the ready to give up all the benefits of the life insurance proceeds remain out of Philanthropic donations have always asset you’d like to donate. By creating his taxable estate, and the proceeds are been the cornerstone of the educa- a charitable remainder trust for a quali- available to his heirs immediately, free tional and charitable organizations fied charity, you can contribute to your from probate and generally free from in our community. Now, a charitable Tzedakah, increase your income and income taxes. Creating a life insur- remainder trust can allow you to make save on taxes. This way, you get the best ance trust may be an affordable way to a significant contribution as well. of all worlds. replace wealth given to a CRT. For further information on how insurance charitable remainder unitrust (CRUT), and other financial products can be used How Does It Work? Too Good to Be True? where you receive a fixed percentage of in connection with a charitable remainder the trust’s value every year, rather than trust, please contact Mordy Schachter, A charitable remainder trust (CRT) A charitable remainder trust really can a static dollar amount. The advantage Agent, New York Life Insurance Company, allows you to convert an asset that is give you the best of all worlds – you of using a CRUT is that it can provide at (718) 915-3438. worth a significant amount, such as ‘inflation protection’ – if the trust value stock or real estate, into income without grows each year, so too will the income having to pay capital gains taxes on amount you receive, helping to combat the asset when it is sold. It can also inflation. (However, receiving your help you save a significant amount on income through a CRUT also means current income taxes and on potential that if the trust’s investment portfolio estate taxes when you die by removing a performs poorly in a given year, you large chunk of assets from your taxable will receive less money.) estate. What About My Children? When you transfer your asset into the irrevocable CRT, the trustee of the You might ask: “If I give away a highly CRT can sell your asset without your appreciated asset, will my children’s having to pay any capital gains taxes. inheritance suffer?” If you have a The money then gets re-invested into large estate, it is possible that the asset income-producing assets, and you you’re giving to a CRT is only a small receive an income for either the rest of percentage of your total assets, so your your life, or for a specific term of years children will still receive a significant up to 20 years. When you die or the inheritance in any case. However, you term expires, the money that remains in can ensure your children receive the the trust goes to the charity or institu- benefit of your full estate by replacing tion you have selected. May 16, 2008 ~ crOWN heights 13 Shleimus Haaretz

Part II: Phases In The Israel-Arab Conflict At that time, Israel’s government Israeli Approaches & Suggested Alternatives explained that they were encouraging the Arabs to stay because they wanted Published and copyright © by Sichos In strength and confidence. Before the the message. TheA rabs, flabbergasted, to show the world a shining example English war, he made both public and private had not dreamed that Israel would ever of coexistence between nations. What statements, stating that this was a consider giving away these territories. shortsightedness! Had they left, the If only the above arguments were mere period of unique Divine favor for the TheA mericans, however, assured them Intifada, the demographic problem, abstractions to be bartered about in a Jewish people, and promising that they that the Israelis meant what they said. and all the sensitive issues that a large political science class or philosophi- would soon be rewarded by wondrous Arab population in the “West Bank” cal discussions to be politely shared miracles. When American students in Why didn’t the Arabs agree? Because at creates would never have arisen. And over the dinner table! Unfortunately, Israel were streaming to the airport that time, they could not contemplate any significant reduction in the Arab however, they are facts of life, truths giving even lip service to population would have diminished the that have been largely ignored by the concept of peace. So magnitude of these problems. Israeli governments over the past 30 powerful was their hatred years. As a result, a recurring pattern that they could not publicly Nor is shortsightedness the only diffi- has been established. Concession state that they would end culty. The greater reason for having the after concession has been made to the their aggression against Arabs stay was that Israel’s self-image Arabs without anything substantial Israel. was not strong enough to see herself being received in return. Time and settling the entire land and maintaining again, victories won with blood and And yet, the fact that they possession. Although from a security Divine miracles on the battlefield have digested the Israeli message perspective this is vital for the country’s backfired into defeats at the negotiating was harmful. From that future, the Israeli government lacked table. Thousands of Jewish - and for moment, they launched a the inner resolve to make this commit- that matterA rab - lives have been lost. diplomatic campaign call- ment to the country’s tomorrow. The term “peace process” has become ing for the return of the land virtually synonymous with demands that Israel had conquered. Instead, the government restricted for Israeli concessions. Had Israel not made these Jewish settlement in the Old City of offers, the Arabs would Jerusalem and throughout the “West Throughout this period, against this never have contemplated Bank.” Rather than create a situation background of concessions, a different making such demands. which would have made the unity of the voice was heard. For decades, until Up until that point, their holy city and the continued possession 1994, the Lubavitcher Rebbe served as conception was that they of the “West Bank” a logical necessity, a bedrock of strength and confidence, could retake the land only the Israeli government treated the radiating guidance and vision for the through defeating Israel land as “occupied territory.” Indeed, future of our land and its people. on the battlefield. The fact this conception was reinforced by that Israel would willingly government communiqués and the This is not mere history. At present as sacrifice the territory in official government news media, which well, the Rebbe’s insights remain cur- negotiations had never been referred to the “West Bank” as hash- rent and foresighted. His insights and considered. tachim (“the territories”), instead of advice shed light on how to deal with the Hebrew names for Judea (Yehudah) the problems we face today. A similar pattern could and Samaria (Shomron). Moreover, as be seen with regard to the evident from the fact that Israeli Law In the pages to follow, we will present Arabs living in the “West was never applied to these regions, the a brief historical overview of several Bank.” Directly after the government treated the Arabs as the phases in the Arab-Israeli controversy war, 200,000 Arabs fled rightful owners, implying that a just and the directives and perception the to neighboring countries. settlement of the issue would involve Rebbe shared at the time. The intent Many others had similar an Israeli withdrawal. is not merely to recount the past, but intents and would have rather to point towards the future. If joined them had they been From the outset, the Rebbe called for mistakes and adverse factors are high- offered some financial rec- settlement of the entire land, empha- lighted, it is not to thrive on negativity, ompense. At that point in sizing that not only from a spiritual but to spell out problematic approaches time, the other Arab coun- by the thousands, the Rebbe told his perspective, but also from a security that continue to undermine Israeli tries would have accepted them. They followers to stay in the Holy Land, perspective, the Land of Israel is a policy until the present day. Reviewing would have had no choice. And yet assuring them that they did not face single, indivisible entity. He did not see the past may prevent us from living it. during the war Israel’s leaders closed any danger. the government’s program of partial the borders and prevented these Arabs settlement as a solution, for it placed the And, through rethinking the past, we from leaving. Even after the war, when Immediately after the war was con- settlers in danger, and never reflected can chart a path of action for the future, the borders were opened, there was cluded, the Rebbe began to speak out a sincere commitment to command one that will lead to security, growth, ample government effort to entice the against the return of the territories authority over the land in its entirety. and hopefully peace within the Land Arabs to stay. Israel had conquered. At that point, no of Israel. one could appreciate what the Rebbe meant. Never in world history had any The Six-Day War And Its Aftermath one ever thought of returning land won in a defensive war. Today, it is hard to recapture the feel- ings that existed before the Six-Day And yet, shortly after the war, a state War. At that time, people everywhere delegation from Jerusalem arrived in - including most of the Jewish commu- Washington and told the Americans nity inside and outside Israel - sincerely to advise the Arabs that Israel was believed the Arab threats to push Israel prepared to give back the land she had into the sea. They felt that it was only conquered in exchange for peace. a matter of time before those threats would be carried out. As the war drew At first the Americans were amazed; nearer and nearer, their premonitions they did not believe what they were of dread continued to increase. hearing. But when the Israelis repeated their promises, they communicated The Rebbe, in contrast, radiated 14 CROWN HEIGHTS ~May 16, 2008 Iyar Yahrzeits

This week we continue with theY ahrzeiten of people who lived in our shechuna. his mosdos. He was nifter in his middle Tov meals. He was born in 1929 on the By mentioning them, we come to “v’Hachai yiten el Libo”. We learn lessons age on a trip to support the work of the 6th of Shvat in Otio, Czechoslovakia from their lives that we can incorporate into our own. This column includes Shluchim in Russia. He was born on the and was nifter in 2003. His resting place the Yahrzeiten of the12th of Iyar through the18th of Iyar. 19th of Tishrei in 1948 and was nifter in is near the holy Ohel. 1998. His resting place is in Tzfas. Nikolayev and was nifter in 1952. His Women Men resting place is in the holy city Tzfas. 18th of Iyar, Lag B’omer 12th of Iyar 15th of Iyar 15th of Iyar Horav Hachossid Mrs. Tzivia Dworkin Horav Hachossid Hatomim Reb Horav Hachossid Hatomim Reb Yehuda Moshe Winner The daughter of Horav Hacho- Hatomim Reb Yis- Leib Raskin ssid Reb Menachem Mendel roel Minkowitz The son of Horav Dubrawsky, she was the The son of Horav Hachossid Hato- The son of Horav wife of Horav Hachossid Hachossid Hatomim mim Reb Avro- Hachossid Hatomim Reb Zalman Shimon Reb Yaakov Yosef, he h o m , R e b Reb Yitzchok Yaakov, Dworkin, the Rav of merited to serve the Moshe was he was mekushar to Crown Heights and sac- Rebbe’s parents in Alma Ata, Russia. known for his Ahavas Yisroel, the Rebbeim and sac- rificed herself for the In the 1950’s, he organized Shabbos which was expressed in all rificed himself to saveA nash in Russia. observance of Torah gatherings in different neighborhood aspects of his life, including He was born in 1916 in Nevel and was and Mitzvos in Russia. shuls to hear the Rebbe’s Sichos. In his administrative work nifter in 1998. His resting place is near She was nifter in 1976, 1960, he was sent by the Rebbe to at Yeshiva Oholei Torah. the holy Ohel. and her resting place is serve as his shliach in Morocco, to Although Reb Moshe suf- near the holy Ohel. which he committed himself body Dr. Yaakov Liber fered from many health and soul for the next forty-four years. (Larry) Resnik problems during his short life, Mrs. Sara Leah Simon He merited to publish the Tanya in his unique emuna strengthened He merited becoming The daughter of Horav Arabic, to make a Siyum HoRambam him, and he maintained his daily one of the Rebbe’s Hachossid Reb Mordechai Tzvi, in the Rambam’s house in Fez, and shiurim despite his pain and suffering. attending physicians she was nifter in 2001. to publicized the Rebbe’s directive to He was nifter in 1997, and his resting from the Rebbe’s study the daily shiurim of Rambam. place is near the holy Ohel. Her resting place is near the holy illness in 1977 on Reb Leibel brought up a generation Ohel. Shmini Atzeres and in the years that Horav Hachossid of children who follow the teachings followed. He merited many kiruvim Hatomim Reb Chaim Mrs. Haddasa Greenberg of Torah, children and grandchildren from the Rebbe. He was nifter in 2004, Tzvi Halevi serving as Shluchim and Shluchos. He The daughter of Horav Hachossid and his resting place is near the holy Moscowitz was born in Leningrad in 1933 and was Reb Moshe, she was the wife of Horav Ohel nifter in 2004. His resting place is near The son of Horav Hachossid Reb Boruch Akiva, may the holy Ohel 16th of Iyar Hachossid Reb Avro- he live and be well. She was nifter in hom Yitzchok, he was 2006, and her resting place is near the 13th of Iyar Horav Hachossid mekushar to the Reb- holy Ohel Hatomim Reb Arye Horav Hachossid Hatomim Reb beim and was amongst the founding Leib Kaplan Dear Readers: Yisroel Arye Leib Schneerson members of Gemilas Chesed “Keren The son of Horav Yisroel Arye Leib”. He worked tirelessly Those who would like to have their rela- The son of Horav Hagaon Horav Hacho- Hachossid Hato- on a daily basis and was always available tives mentioned in the yahrzeit column, ssid Hamekubel Reb Levi Yitzchok, in mim Reb Moshe to those who needed funds. He was please email the name, father’s name, his childhood he was engrossed in his Binyomin, he was the also a member of the board of Chevra date of the petira and some details to studies and more than once did his founder of the Chabad mosdos and of Simchas Shabbos V’Yom Tov, supplying [email protected]. A picture may be mother, the Rebbetzin, need to remove the Kollel Tzemach Tzedek in Tzfas, needy families with Shabbos and Yom included. him from his involvement in study served as chairman of the board of the in order that he should eat. He was a Chabad institutions in Israel, and was a person with strong talents, great depth, member of Agudas Chassidei Chabad in out and demands, “Why should we be should we be deprived?” — and their and a sharp and brilliant mind. He was Israel until his last day. He was commit- deprived?!” demand was accepted and Pesach Sheni born in 1909 on the 16th of Sivan in ted to the Rebbe and to strengthening was given as a mitzvah. Torah says (Berachos 33b): “Everything is in the hands of Heaven except for A Jew can learn from this how much Sicha - Pesach Sheni 5746 fear of Heaven.” G-d therefore wants power he has: Although there is such that a Jew, when he feels he is missing a gulf between him and G-d, he is able Continued from Page3 great men of that time, with the utmost out on fear of Heaven, should cry out to demand something that concerns seems to be most bizarre. The people faith in Moshe Rabbeinu. If they heard and demand that he have it. And when him, and G-d will accept the demand. who made this claim could not bring nothing from Moshe Rabbeinu or G-d he thus shows his intense longing for Although this power is not of the the Pesach offering in its right time concerning their obligation to offer the it, G-d fulfills his desire — as we see: Jew’s making but comes from G-d, he for they were unclean. Now, if G-d Pesach sacrifice, it could only mean G-d gave the mitzvah of Pesach Sheni must know that G-d wants that a Jew desired that they should offer the that they were not obligated to. How as the result of Jews’ demand, “Why should show that the lack of something Pesach sacrifice, He certainly would then could they demand from Moshe should we be deprived.” concerning fear of Heaven affects him have commanded Moshe to tell them Rabbeinu that they wanted to keep deeply. to do so (on Pesach Sheni) without this commandment — when it should 2. This teaches a wonderful lesson for them having to demand it. And if have been clear that if Moshe did not Jews of both the highest caliber (“the Likewise, Pesach Sheni contains a Moshe told them nothing, it means command them about it, it meant that heads of your tribes”) and of the sim- lesson for the “heads of your tribes.” that they need not fulfill the mitzvah it didn’t apply to them? How could they plest level (“the choppers of your wood A Jew who spends all his life in Torah of offering the Pesach sacrifice! demand to keep something they weren’t and the drawers of your water”). study or good deeds may think that commanded to? because he lacks nothing there is no Furthermore, our sages say (Sukkah A plain Jew may think that he is unwor- reason to demand, “Why should we be 25a) that these people who could not From the fact that they nevertheless did thy of making demands, and that his deprived” However, a true Torah sage bring the offering on the first Pesach demand, “Why should we be deprived?” demands wouldn’t be accepted anyway. has no rest, as our Sages say, “Torah were unclean because they were the we learn a wonderful lesson. When a Pesach Sheni teaches otherwise: The sages have no rest in this world nor in ones who carried Yosef’s coffin from Jew feels that he is missing something gulf between Jew and G-d is immensely the World to Come as it is written: ‘They Egypt, or who had become unclean in Torah and Mitzvos, some aspect of wider than that between a plain Jew shall go from strength to strength.’” from contact with Nodav and Avihu fear of Heaven, he relies on no one — and one who is “the head of your tribe.” Even a Jew who studies Torah day and (Aharon’s sons who died). This not on Moshe Rabbeinu and not even Yet, despite the vast gulf between a Jew night, never wasting a moment, and implies that these people were of the on G-d (so to speak). Instead, he cries and G-d, Jews demanded of G-d, “Why observes Mitzvos with the utmost Continued on page 14 May 16, 2008 ~ crOWN heights 15 Rebbe's Story

“I have been to many funerals in my and advice from the Rebbe on what contrary), my husband and I were sent did not believe that he could really be so life, but I have never seen someone cry to do. to this world to serve Yidden twenty- concerned with their petty matters. with as much pain as the Rebbe cried four hours a day, seven days a week. By TheR ebbe’s secretary explained apolo- for that soldier.” your calling us you are helping us fulfill Rabbi Kaplan relates that that when getically that it would have to wait until our Shlichus.” he was in Kollel, he was asked to help the morning and that he would ask the -Rabbi Yisroel Meir Lau a teenage girl who was going through Rebbe first thing. a rebellious phase in her life and was The following is an unbelievable The mother pleaded, “It’s a matter of life emotionally distraught. TheR ebbe was Dear Rebbe, do you really feel my encounter that one of the Rebbe’s and death. I need an answer now.” working to help her find her way in life, pain? seceretaries experienced with Reb- and Rabbi Kaplan was to interpret and betzin Chaya Mushka, obm, in the The secretary decided to dial the explain to her the Rebbe’s responses. The following is a fascinating encounter winter of 1966. Also, included is an Rebbe’s house, and if the phone would between a young Lubavitch girl from interesting picture of the Rebbe (101 be answered, he would ask mechila (for- When the Rebbe wrote to her that he Crown Heights who was going through in the series). Special thanks to Rabbi giveness) for calling so late. He dialed felt her pain, she reacted strongly; she a very hard time in her personal life, Asher Lowenstein. uneasily, worried that it was improper; plainly did not believe that the Rebbe and the Rebbe’s involvement in helping the Rebbetzin answered. or anyone else could really feel someone “It was a winter morning in 1966, about her through the hard time’s she was else’s pain. 3:30 A.M. TheR ebbe had left for home “Ver ret (who is talking)?” experiencing. It’s an excerpt from the already—an early night considering new book on the Rebbe By Menachem The Rebbe responded that when she The secretary gave his name and imme- that there had been no Yechidus that Kirschenbaum, “TheR ebbe Inspiring a will grow up and merit being married diately said, “I am sorry for calling so night. Generation”. To see more information and having a child, she will see that, as late,” and proceeded to give his mechila about the book, visit www.inspirin- the child begins to teeth and be in great Just then a woman frantically phoned speech – how “it was a chutzpah (nerve) gageneration.com pain from it, she will actually feel the the Rebbe’s mazkirus (secretariat), to call at such a late hour, but there child’s pain. That, concluded theR ebbe, saying that her little baby had just is a lady here in desperate need. She The Rebbe’s care for every Jew, com- is how I feel your pain. Rabbi Kaplan fallen and was hurt badly. The doctors says it is a matter of life and death.” He passion for everyone’s troubles, and ended by mentioning that the Rebbe’s were arguing over procedures because described her plight. sympathy for another’s concern’s were efforts helped her to straighten out her of the baby’s critical condition. She legendary. At times, people who experi- The Rebbetzin exclaimed, “Why are problems and find happiness. desperately needed a bracha (blessing) enced the Rebbe’s consideration simply you asking mechila? Adaraba (on the

Continued from page 14 Mitzvah of Pesach Sheni brought the not be silent,’ and He listens....” The Redemption today, as Rambam rules meticulousness, never finds rest for his number of Mitzvos to their full totality Mezritcher Maggid explains that the (Laws of Repentance 3:4): “A person soul because he is always longing to go 613. Pesach Sheni is one of the 248 posi- above Midrash is “similar to Choni the throughout the whole year should view from “strength to strength” — to yet a tive Mitzvos corresponding to the 248 Circle Maker’s prayer, which changed, himself as if he were half innocent and higher level. Why can he find no rest? limbs of a person. Thus, even a Jew who as it were, G-d’s will ... as one takes his half guilty; and should likewise view the Because of the feeling “Why should we all his life brought the Pesach sacrifice friend by the hand and does not let him whole world as half innocent and half be deprived?”: Knowing that he can go on the first Pesach has 248 limbs whose go, and changes his will.” guilty.... When he fulfills one mitzvah, yet further allows him no rest until he wholeness depends on the fulfillment he turns the scale of merit in his and the reaches that higher level — and then, It follows from the above that when of all the 248 positive Mitzvos, includ- whole world’s favor, and brings salva- he once again wants to go yet higher, Jews plead for the Redemption they ing that of Pesach Sheni. And since tion and deliverance to himself and to ad infinitum. effect that it come more quickly than the integrity of Torah depends on the them.” The “salvation and deliverance” without their heartfelt cries. actual fulfillment of Mitzvos, for “study thus effected comes immediately, not The fact that Pesach Sheni resulted is great that it leads to deed,” it follows The same concept is behind the prayer: tomorrow or the next day. In the words from the demand by the Jews teaches that Jews, through their demand not “Speedily cause the scion of Dovid Your of Rambam (Ibid., 7:5): “Immediately us another lesson. Some people ques- to be deprived, effected that the Torah servant to flourish ... for we hope for they are redeemed.” tion why we speak incessantly about too (as well as the mitzvos) should be Your salvation every day.” Rambam Moshiach, that “I believe with perfect whole. rules (Laws of Prayer 1:2) that the The lesson, then, from the unique faith in the coming of Moshiach ... I will positive mitzvah of prayer is that “a service of Pesach Sheni compared to wait for him that he shall come every We learn from this person ... shall request his necessities the other days of the year, is that it that our outcry for the which he needs.” When a Jew feels he came into being as a result of the Jews’ Redemption is not only lacks something, he should request it claim, “Why should we be deprived.” not contrary to Torah, from G-d. If this applies to asking for Even the other special days of the year G-d forbid, but the abundant livelihood (i.e., not just basic do not possess this element: Shabbos reverse: Torah com- needs), it certainly applies to asking is “sanctified of itself,” without any act manded us to act thus, for the Redemption to come quickly. on the part of Jews; and the sanctifying via the Men of the Great Although a Jew is sure the Redemption of the festivals, although done by Israel Assembly, who ordained will come, he cannot serenely wait for — through their establishing the day that a Jew should say in it to come in two days time when he of Rosh Chodesh — is a result of G-d’s his prayers: “Speedily can bring it tomorrow. Moreover, if command to sanctify the months. cause the scion of Dovid a Jew but wants it, he can bring the Your servant to flourish ... for we hope for Your day.” One should rely on G-d to redeem salvation every day.” Indeed, a Jew is Continued from page 2 the Jews when He wants, these people not satisfied with making this request his whole family. say. G-d sent the Jews into exile, and once a day but repeats it at each prayer Moshe Rubashkin He is the one who should redeem them. — three times a day! Gut Shabbos. I hope to report more Why then the demand and outcry for Yeshiva it is, the self sacrifice of Reb exciting news in the best community the redemption? Jews, together with King Dovid, cry Yitzchok Nemenov to the bochurim, in the world. out, “Until when?” They plead: “G-d, do and Reb Mendel Gurevitch’s dealing Pesach Sheni teaches us why: Although not hold Yourself silent; do not be deaf with the tuition with the parents with this mitzvah, as all other Mitzvos, and do not be still, O G-d” (Tehillim real kindness. should have been given directly by G-d, 83:2). Midrash Tehillim on this verse YOUR AD it in fact came into being as a result of states: “The righteous tell the Holy Today’s generation, the Rebbe stresses the Jews’ demand, “Why should we be One, blessed be He, what to do: They only with varmkeit could we have HERE! deprived.” Not only did a new Mitzvah say to Him, ‘Arise,’ and He arises ... hashpaah on others. This was Reb thus come into being, but it made all They say to Him, ‘Do not slumber,’ and Berel Gurevitch. His whole life was Call 718 771 9000 x17 the Mitzvos more complete — for the He awakens ... They say to Him, ‘Do with varmkeit, and his children and 16 CROWN HEIGHTS ~May 16, 2008 Kids

the river Dniester: he threw But he didn't use a Name, just The Gartel his gartel (belt) on the water, his absolute trust in G-d. And By Shoshannah Brombacher uttered a secret Name, and that was enough. Reprinted by permission Don't crossed dry and safe. But all Chabbad.org his life he repented for having The prophet Achiah of Shilo used the holy Name of G-d used to visit young Israel for his own convenience. forget to ben Eliezer -- later known as After years, the Master of the Baal Shem Tov, "Master the Name stood in front of a of the Good Name" -- to river again. But this time Jew- count the teach him the secrets of haters were at his heels, ready Torah. And one time Israel to maim and kill him. Again used the kabbalistic knowl- he threw his belt on the water edge he had learned to cross and he crossed safe and dry. OMER! May 16, 2008 ~ crOWN heights 17

למעלה which reaches ,עבודת בעל התשובה Pesach Sheni of individuals who wouldn’t be able them towards heights of purity and There is no place there .מסדר השתלשלות ?to offer the Korban on time, such as holiness ,dividing up into sections – התחלקות a case of a person who is impure, or a for ”עס איז ניטא קיין פארפאלן“ .but everything is included there as one פסח .reflects this matter פסח Jew who is in a distant place at the time The word of the Korban. The Torah tells us that means skipping and passing over all This is why Pesach Sheini is celebrated היום יום י”ד באייר however חמץ .these people complained by saying kinds of levels in spirituality. merely during one day meaning: “Why shall we be is permitted since Pesach Sheini has ,”למה נגרע“ By Rivkah Ehrentreu deprived of this great privilege?” What Pesach Sheini symbolizes a second level the strength to change negative into Chassidus sees Pesach Sheini as a made them sense the greatness of this of passing over, where the Kedusha hops positive. symbol for a second chance to restore Korban over other Korbanos? How did and passes over to a higher level than and correct any situation which seems they learn the fact that Korban Pesach the first Pesach reaches. How can we This matter will help us understand declared about a Jew named רבי lost or hopeless. is uplifting and is a great privilege with see this through the differences of both? what who sinned to such רבי אליעזר בן דרודייא good fortune? Why is it so? Why is Pesach Sheini only What, indeed, is the uniqueness of this celebrated for one day and Chametz is an extreme, that the woman who he day that if someone wasn’t able to bring These Jews knew that if one doesn’t allowed, while Pesach lasts seven days was involved with at the time of sin and chametz is not allowed? proclaimed that he was never going to ,(במזיד) Korban Pesach on time, he still has a bring the Korban intentionally -which differs from be forgiven. He then urged the moun ,חייב כרת chance to complete this Mitzva? he is then the laws of the rest of the Korbanos. Pesach Sheini wasn’t originally given tains and hills to beg for him, and when from Hashem but rather as they rejected him, he pleaded with מצוה This fact made them conclude that if as a עבר זמנו,“ The general law of korbanos is .of this Korban is so a response to the Yidden’s request. the sun and the moon to pray for him מצוה meaning that if the time to the loss of the ,”בטל קרבנו sacrifice a specific Korban has passed, great, how much more so is the reward Pesach Sheini, indeed, symbolizes a When they refused, he at last asked the planets) to plea on his) מזלות the Korban can not be offered. Why and the merit of those who actually move which comes from the inner will stars and doesn’t this apply to the Korban of perform it! and desire of the Yidden’s hearts. Such behalf. He realized then, that the matter depended on himself. He sat down and עבודת התשובה Pesach Sheini? a thing is compared to the put his head between his knees and ,סדר השתלשלות Chassidus explains that even a very which climbs higher than and it can affect drastic changes and sobbed and cried until his soul came חייב כרת the Kor- serious case of someone who is משלים Secondly, if one can be רבי then announced that בת קול reasons for not bringing wonders. Pesach Sheini is not merely out. A מזיד ban, why then is it necessary to wait because of .עולם הבא is invited to אליעזר בן דורדייא -until the 14th day of the following Korban Pesach, he can still be free from a step to compensate for a lost oppor if he brings this Korban at the 14th tunity, but it is a stage that stands on כרת month? Why can’t one bring the Korban יש קונה עולמו“ :cried and said רבי ,עבודת התשובה a week later when he is ready? of the following month. How is this its own. It resembles the ”בכמה שנים, ויש קונה עולמו בשעה אחת .possible? Where does Pesach Sheini where sins turn into merits -Some“ .(’גמרא, מסכת עבודה זרה, פרק א) where the matter is draw this everlasting and tremendous פרשת בהעלותך In (עולם הבא) discussed, the Torah brings examples strength, to uplift situations and lead The month of Nissan symbolizes one may acquire his world where Hashem’s light over several years, while another may ,התעורותא דלעילא comes down from above. It cannot acquire his world in one hour!”. Since reaches a בעלי תשובה of עבודת התשובה purify and change the essence, but it where there is ,למעלה מהשתלשלות which level ,סור מרע can bring to a stage of "עס איז ניטא קיין פארפאלן" an order in which ,סדר is reflected by the fact that the Yidden no room for a Many people reported that they didn't get run away from Mitzrayim. This is the the head is higher than the knees as which refers to ,סדר השתלשלות of a Tzadik, who doesn’t deal it is in עבודה עולם Therefore achieving .עבודת הצדיקים nor change it, but he does ,רע a copy of our special 24-page Pesach issue. with the ,may take several years. However הבא There are copies available if you didn't re- remove the bad, meaning, he doesn’t in עולם הבא acquires his בעל תשובה cover up and hide the the נפש הבהמית let the למעלה מסדר one hour, since everything בדרך is done עבודהceive it and would like to. Please stop in to light of Kedusha. This is included as one unit. (This is השתלשלות is celebrated for פסח ראשון therefore ,הטבע our office at 392 Kingston Ave. for a copy who symbolizes ,רבי אליעזר בן דורדייא seven days, and there is a prohibition why sat down and“ בעל תשובה of a עבודה since there is no possibility for the ,חמץ of from put his head between his knees”, thus חמץ to turn the עבודה the Tzadik’s negative into positive. changing the natural order in which עס איז .the head stands above the knees !ניטא קיין פארפאלען NIGHTLIFE! The month of Iyar, however, stands for Upcoming Events Iyar 5768 Thursday May 15, 8:15pm Seeing Stars: Astrology and The Kabbalah with Rabbi Shlomo Yaffe Learning Never Ends Sunday May 18, 8pm Kollel Tifereth Zekainim Levi Yitzchok Bridal Tips: Getting EVERYTHING done before Lubavitch Torah Institute for Seniors your wedding while enjoying the process is announcing the opening of a with Mrs. Chaya Klein Monday May 19, 8pm kolel Extreme Makeover: Soul Edition learning program for men with Rabbi Dr. Laibl Wolf (Australia) in English Thursday May 22 - Lag BaOmer NIGHTLIFE Bonfire! Sunday through Thursday 11:00 AM —1:30 PM In Crown Heights Sunday May 25, 7:30pm Kosher Culinary Arts Workshop with professional chef, James Parker At: Congregation Lubavitch—770 Monday May 26, 8:15pm Entrance: 302 Kingston Ave. The Wedding Day (part I): The power behind our customs on this awesome day For Seniors with Mrs. Sara Morozow Come and bring your friends All programs are held at The NIGHTLIFE Lounge: Rubashkin Residence - 18 CROWN HEIGHTS ~May 16, 2008 Lag B'Omer

The Significance of Lag BaOmer and The Way It Is Hinted In the Torah

By Rivkah Ehrentreu Yaakov Rashbi Kippur in the prayer of to remove from נתנה תוקף "מחצתי ואני ארפא" that גל the (בוקע) broke through (בוקע root) יעקב are hinted in the word ל”ג The letters (.רוע הגזירה Laban had placed between them to prevent a fluent It is explained according to Chassidus that the us the is תורה שבע"פ and תורה שבכתב the partition that Laban placed flowing of Hashem’s light from His essence to the separation between ,גל between himself and Yaakov; however, world (in order to bring it to its spiritual death). going to be healed, when the secrets of the Torah The students of Rabi Yaakov broke through it and didn’t let will be revealed. They will enter the heart and Akiva loved each Laban’s false plan come to be. At first Yaakov peeled away the white stripping soften up the stubbornness and the stiffness of from the rods he had placed in the runners to let the feeling. Then they shall be able to blend, connect, other with great deal ,גבורה and מסירות נפש the light of of ממשיך and harmonize, and be a vessel to be (בוקע) light of Hashem’s Essence break through a – גלוי a – גל Yaakov brought the We see this idea at so they insisted that .אור אין סוף Hashem. His light is לשון comes from the יוצא let it come out (the word revelation, which was needed to revive This is fitting as he was a shepherd. Laban a wedding. The connection of the man and woman their friends accept .(צאן of the world. The Rashbi, like Yaakov, to rest amongst them their opinions (which אור אין סוף the light of Hashem’s causes Hashem’s) לובן העליון symbolizes the broke through the between the and gives them ability to bring new life to the Essence going through the curtains, so it should not they thought were the מחיצה and of the ח"י אייר and the ” . On Lag destroy the world because of its strength). So world. This is the significance of only true ones). The תורה שבע פ תורה שבכתב .on that day (חתן וכלה of שמחה the) הילולא BaOmer, when the counting is despite the separation, Yaakov reached beyond the Rashbi, on the other הוד שבהוד with his own רחמנות to Hashem’s source of גל and on ” , he brought life to the hand, came across with ח י אייר He had a .הוד שבהוד is יארצייט on his ספירה This let out a light that was in a form of love Rashbi’s .רחמנות world, so the death of Rabi Akiva’s and soft rays that brought out connection, harmony, spark from Moshe’s splendor which is expressed when the חסד מידת המיצוע .students stopped were harmonized וגבורה This means that one may .הוד of מידה have that through the אידן and life. His goal was to let the which they would come to admit to a strength higher than he is, within him. This was עבודת המצוות potential for the What was Laban’s plan, and how did possible because he .ענוה and ביטול need later on. which brings him to Yaakov trick him? How does the Torah wasn’t controlled by hint to the death of the students before When Yaakov’s children were counted when they Moshe Rabeinu’s generation saw the miracles of the of alone; he גבורה מידה the Torah says that Leah Hashem, and they understood His greatness. They ,פרשת ויגש in מצרים Lag BaOmer because of their lack of came to had in himself a combi- admit, which shows they had – מודה children. However, the counting brings were ready to 33 – ל"ג respect towards one another? How had nation of both. He was Therefore, they were .ביטול and ענוה of מידה does the Torah hint to the fact that the sum to only 32. Rashi explains that Yocheved the wasn’t born yet, and Chassidus says that this hints worthy to be vessels that hold Hashem’s light. then able to bring the the students stopped passing away on nd Up until then (and However, Rashbi’s generation didn’t see all of this. world to a stage of .ספירה to the 32 day of חסד Lag BaOmer, when they started being at which point instead of , and to a ,הוד שבהוד including) that day, the students of Rabi Akiva were They came to a level of דינים more careful to have towards one ( ) which brought about their they admitted that they had to admit. This was a place of settlement ,(יוכבד) כבוד lacking כבוד שוב could rest on אור אין סוף is a time of stage where Hashem’s ל"ג (בעומר) another? What does Rashbi’s essence deaths. However instead of and . דינים רצוא which ,חתונה of a שמחה them. It is compared to a חכמה as one who has within his Neshama completeness, where the light of Hashem’s) He brought life to the the light (יחוד brings to the couple (because of this .כבוד a spark of Moshe’s Neshama and the entered their hearts, and led them to a stage of month of , which is a אייר brings life ח"י אייר This is why .אין סוף The of Hashem .ל"ג (בעומר) light of Moshiach) have to do with This is why they stopped dying on . to the world, making it ready for month of and אור אין סוף plus one, which stands and לב – כבוד is יוכבד of גמטריא רצוא גבורה preparing the world for the coming When a person the coming of Moshiach. He was able to break .בינה which is the source of י' for the of Moshiach? Additionally, why is which is barley - food for through the , the) עומר the מקריב is מחיצה גל ” “ the day of his a time of animals), Hashem brings down a fire in the shape of that was put between הילולא יארצייט .שעורה rejoicing at a wedding), as opposed a lion to eat up the materialistic part of the) תורת הנסתר and תורת הנגלה The parts that are left are the spiritual sparks which ?צדיקים of the other יארצייט to the פנימיות and they call and reveal the ,חיות הקודש are elevated. They feed the (the search of Hashem). ,And as the sparks go higher !”קדוש קדוש קדוש“ The following chart discusses the brings them down in the form of This led to love and עומר counting the ideas mentioned above and reflects on -which help us mature and fortify unity, since his Nesh ,בינה gates of Yaakov’s mission which was completed towards our ama was a continued כבוד ourselves to reach a level of by Rashbi. friends. form of the מקור הרחמים of Hashem, which is

This is from where .למעלה מסדר השתלשלות Summary and need, since he took upon himself like Yaakov’s) the Neshamos of Moshe Rabeinu and רחמנות of מידה with his) !We to redeem us from any decree. (Just Moshiach came .וחזקה על רשב”י שסומכים עליו בשעת הדחק like Yaakov comes to help us on Yom גבורה may trust the Rashbi at the time of Amazing Summer Program for Boys 15 and up!! YAM is pleased to open registration for our amaz- ing summer program for boys 15 and older. The boys have an amazing summer, packed with activities for their souls and bodies. The program has several components: • Morning Seder—Chassidus, Davening, and Learning. Personal attention is stressed in learning with great teachers including Rabbi Pinya Korf. • Work Internships in local businesses and organizations—Great evening activities, Shabbatons, programs, and sports. • Awesome trips—A three-day camping trip and a memorable 10-14 day grand trip. The tuition is unbeatable. For more information, please call Yosef Kanofsky at (718) 771-9000 x17. May 16, 2008 ~ crOWN heights 19 20 CROWN HEIGHTS ~May 16, 2008 SUNDAY IN THE HEIGHTS! This Sunday, 13 Iyar, enjoy an evening of hilarious entertainment, fabulous prizes and delectable delights at the Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Bikur Cholim of Crown Heights! AuctionViewing is from 3:00-8:00 pm in Oholei Menachem’s Grand Ballroom. International star, Estrella will entertain from 7:30 - 8:15pm. Widely- acclaimed speaker, Rabbi Shlomo Yaffe will deliver the Keynote. This year’s evening will be dedicated to the beloved and sorely missed, Mrs. Devora Steinmetz a”h, long-time president, who toiled for Bikur Cholim since its inception. Special Guest of Honor will be the illustrious Shlucha of Cleveland Ohio, Rebbetzin Shula Shufra Kazen. Her boundless energy and enthusiasm, on behalf of the peulos of the Rebbe, have had a profound impact on the lives of thousands around the globe. Come out and be inspired by this larger-than- life chassidiste! For thirty year, Chabad women eagerly participated in the annual PROGRAM Featuring Bikur Cholim garden party to chat, to nosh and to fundraise for this Entertainment�7:30pm�Sharp! International�Mime wonderful organization which assists with hospital visitations, bris- Auction�Viewing�3:00-8:00pm “Estrella!”� sin, and layettes for new mothers, as well as sending the kimpetornin Program,�Hot�Entrees,�Prize�Drawing�8:00pm Guest�Speaker to the facility in Seagate. Financial assistance is also provided for RABBI�SHLOMO�YAFFE Chairlady:�Mrs.�Miriam�Friedfertig physician’s bills and medical emergencies. Meals for new mothers and those recovering from illness, r”l, are cheerfully delivered to the

Chance to win home providing nourishment for the entire family. an authentic American Girl Doll B”H our community has grown. A new generation of devoted women ADMISSION�$25.00 with paid admission! Includes�FREE�$25�Auction�Ticket and girls are involved in the nuts and bolts of this indispensable mosad. FOR�WOMEN�ONLY The venue for the annual, eagerly anticipated event, has changed with Due�to�the�atmosphere�of�the�evening,� the times as well An evening affair, it affords young mothers a chance children�will�regretfully�not�be�allowed�to�attend�the�program to get out and mingle. Please make every effort to attend while showing support to this most For�information,�please�call�718.756.0451 worthy organization, The Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Bikur Cholim of Crown Heights. We look forward to seeing you there! Purchase Auction Tickets Online at www.BikurCholimCH.com