of the West Side & Chabad Early Learning Center s’’xc Shabbat Vayera MarCheshvan 19-20, 5767 November 10-11, 2006

Candle Lighting: 4:24 PM Shabbat Ends: 5:25 PM Weekly Bulletin

V OLUME IFRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2006 19 MARC HESHVAN, 5767 ISSUE VIII Chabad Kids Club Does it Again! Wednesday’s dark and stormy weather didn’t seem to relatives, neighbors and Jewish friends. Equipped faze the dozens of Kids Club members that came with beautiful bags, everyone got busy loading them from as near as 92nd Street and as far as White up with Shabbat essentials such as mini challot, can- Plains, NY. Warm hugs, enthusiastic smiles and color- dles and grape juice.

The children also prepared Shabbat packages for themselves, which included freshly braided chocolate chip challah and their other original Shabbat cre- ations. Felt challah covers designed with colored masking tape and markers, rainbow-hued candle- holders and glittery hand-dipped candles were just some of the creative goodies filling the bags of Kids Club members. coded nametags welcomed the children upon arrival. First on the agenda was the all-time Chabad favorite – Challah baking! The children then split up into smaller groups according to their colored tags.

The joy of Shabbat is one we all want to share. The children discussed different Having filled their bags chock-full of Shabbat, the chil- types of people who dren enjoyed a meal of chicken fingers, pasta and might appreciate a steamed veggies. Over dinner, Rabbi Kugel shared a Shabbat gift package dramatic Shabbat story which captivated the chil- and came up with dren’s attention until its very end. Upon departure, the ideas such as elderly children had their mission clear – to deliver their bag

continued on page 2 Chabad ELC ...... 5 101 WEST 92ND STREET Chabad Shul Section ...... 10 NEW YORK, NY 10025 212-864-5010 Torah Fax: Just Doing My Job ...... 9 www.chabadwestside.org Upcoming Events ...... 3 [email protected] Inside: Happy Birthdays ...... 2 Ads ...... 2, 12 Continued from page 1 Chabad Weekly Bulletin page 2 and share the special warmth of Shabbat. Heartfelt thanks to CKC Parent Coordinator, Rachel Bregman for getting this fabulous event off the With their children happily occupied, the moms were ground and running. In addition, thanks to parent vol- able to sit down and enjoy an ardent and educational unteers Limor Gutkind, Rebecca Lindenbaum and Q&A session with Rabbis Fried and Kugel. Covering Rachel Stone for keeping things smooth and under control throughout.

Events as amazing as this one leave you waiting for the next. We’re all looking forward to the CKC Chanukah Party on Tuesday, December 19. See you there!

ADVERTISING RATES FOR THE CHABAD WEEKLY BULLETIN

Size of Ads and Rates Full Page $1,000 (min 4 weeks @ $250 per week) Half Page $520 (min 4 weeks @ $130 per week) 1/4 Page $910 (min 13 weeks @ $250 per week) or a wide range of topics, moms and staffers alike $325 (min 4 weeks @ $81.25 per week) enjoyed this open forum. Bus. Card $325 (min 13 weeks @ $25 per week) New Ads to be submitted Monday 12:30 two weeks This event could not have happened without the ded- before publication for approval and typesetting icated efforts of CELC Morahs Suri Kleinman, Rachel Wolvovsky, Sarah Abrahamson, Chava Kleinman, Malkie Goldshmid, Rivky Kleinman, Blimi Kleinman, Kids Shul Morahs Shternie Weingarten, Miriam Wrightman, and - at the helm – Morahs Rivky Friedman and Pearl Stroh.

Happy Birthday to the children of CELC!

Name Hebrew Date Occurs On Harry Alsfine 25 Cheshvan November16 Sarah DiPietra 19 Cheshvan November10 Josef Goldstein 20 Cheshvan November11 Zachary Kassai 22 Cheshvan November13 Maxwell Kelly 19 Cheshvan November10 Matan Kotler-Berkowitz 19 Cheshvan November10 Andrew Reicin 22 Cheshvan November13 Joshua Medintz 22 Cheshvan November13 Josephine Schizer 22 Cheshvan November13 Liam Shlcadi 25 Cheshvan November16 Yehuda Teitelman 21 Cheshvan November12 Upcoming Events Chabad Weekly Bulletin page 3

Chabad Women’s Circle

Touching the Divine: Connecting Spirit, Matter and Me JOIN OUR NEXT EVENT! Shimonah Tzukernik, Writer, Artist & Acclaimed Lecturer *** Giant Menorah Incredible, Edible Fruit Art Faya Lipskier, Co-Director, Chabad of the West Sixties Lighting & ******* Chanukah Hosted by Rebecca Lindenbaum * 14 West 83rd Street Give-and-Get Chabad's Tuesday, December 5, 2006 * 8:15 - 9:45pm * $5.00 couvert TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19 Chanukah R.S.V.P. * [email protected] * 212-864-5010 x10 Olive Press Looking forward to seeing you there! 5:00 - 6:30 PM Esther Miriam Fried * Rivka Kugel * Sarah Ossey Workshop Ongoing Classes November 20 - Please join us for one or more of our weekly classes. December 22, 2006 Monday Evenings 8:15 pm Wednesday Mornings 10:45 – 11:30 Examine freshly picked IN-DEPTH PATHWAYS TO THE SOUL olives and assemble an old with Rabbi Meir Ossey with Rabbi Shlomo Kugel fashioned olive press. AT THE CHABAD SHUL Coffee & Discussion AT THE HOME OF Produce the same olive oil Tue., Wed. & Fri. Mornings 7:00 am DEBORAH & DAVID SHIMKO that was used to light the PRE-MINYAN CHASSIDUS 500 WEST END AVE. APT. #8C Menorah in the Holy Temple with Rabbi Shlomo Kugel and continues to be used AT THE CHABAD SHUL In this class we will look at the each year on Chanukah in complexities, doubts and struggles within email Rabbi Kugel night before @ us in the context of the struggle between Menorahs around the world! [email protected] our G-dly soul and our animal soul.

Schools and groups Wednesday Evenings 8:00 pm We will explore the dilemmas of the interested in scheduling an human soul and offer solutions by arriving PRACTICAL HALACHA at the root causes of its struggles. Olive Press Workshop with Rabbi Yisroel Fried may contact Rabbi Fried by email at ryf@chabad- AT THE HOME OF Shabbat Mornings 9:00 am westside.org, or phone NAAVA & DANNY ECKSTIEN THE CHASSIDIC PARSHA at 212-864-5010 x14. 20 WEST 87TH ST. APT. #1B with Rabbi Yisroel Fried AT THE CHABAD SHUL Workshops are geared for Shabbat Afternoons 1hour before Mincha groups of children RAMBAM ages 3-13. with Rabbi Yisroel Fried See you there! AT THE CHABAD SHUL Rabbi Sholom DovBer Schneerson (1860-1920) Chabad Weekly Bulletin page 4 The 5th of Chabad-Lubavitch

In 1915, Rabbi Sholom DovBer was the Soviet Union. forced to flee Lubavitch from the advancing WWI front and relocated Rabbi Sholom DovBer passed to the Russian city of Rostov-on- away in Rostov on the 2nd of Don. In his final years, he began Nissan, 1920. His last words were: the heroic battle against the new "I'm going to heaven; I leave you Communist regime's efforts to the writings." destroy the Jewish faith throughout New at Chabad!

The fifth Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Sholom DovBer ("Rashab"), was born in the White Russian town of Lubavitch in 1860. After the passing of his father, Rabbi Shmuel (in 1882), he assumed the leadership of Chabad- Lubavitch.

Famed for his phenomenal mind and analytical treatment of Chabad Chassidism, Rabbi Sholom DovBer wrote and delivered some 2,000 maamarim (discourses of Chassidic teaching) over the 38 years of his leadership. In 1897, he established the Tomchei Temimim yeshivah, the first institution of Jewish learning to combine the study of the "body" of Torah (Talmudic and legal studies) with its mystical "soul" (the teach- ings of Chassidism); it was this unique yeshivah that produced the army of learned, inspired and devoted Chassidim who, in the decades to come, would literally give their lives to keep Judaism alive under Soviet rule. Looking forward to seeing you!

Chabad ELC’s Parents’ Association invites you to the annual FALL SHABBAT DINNER

Friday, November 10, 2006 at Manhattan Day School 310 West 75th Street

Candlelighting 4:25 pm Kabbalat Shabbat 4:50 pm Dinner 6:00 pm

Next Week at CELC Monday, November 13 Music 97 Trip to Museum of Natural History Tuesday, November 14 Music 92

Chabad ELC Kinderdance 92 Wednesday, November 15 Bookworms PK Chabad ELC 101 West 92nd Street Thursday, November 16 KInderdance 97 166 West 97th Street

Phone: 212-864-5010 Fax: 212-932-8987 Thanksgiving Break Schedule www.chabadwestside.org Wednesday, November 22 12:30 Dismissal [email protected] Thursday, November 23 - Friday, November 24 NO SCHOOL From the PA Desk

We are excited that we will be seeing so many of you tonight at the Shabbat Dinner! We are thrilled at this year's turnout, and look forward to a special evening with our families, morahs and rabbis. As a reminder, the dinner will be at Manhattan Day School, 310 West 75th Street (between West End Avenue and Riverside Drive). We will begin with candle In Avraham’s Tent (Pre-K) lighting at 4:25, followed by a Kabbalat Shabbat family service at 4:50. IF YOU ARE BRINGING WINE FOR YOUR CLASS' TABLE: Please make sure that all wine is At 6:00, dinner will begin, and the children marked "mevushal." Also, we ask that you will be served dinner while the adults enjoy label the bottle with your child's class so that their appetizers. After the children eat, they we can make sure it gets to the right table. will be escorted by their morahs to classrooms where they will participate in games and Thank you! activities, while parents enjoy each other's company over dinner. The children will join Shabbat Shalom, us again for dessert at 7:15, and we expect the Iris and Tamar, Shabbat Dinner co-chairs dinner to end around 7:30 or 7:45. Sarah and Deborah

Class Happenings Chocolate, anyone? Moms and Morahs of Toddler 1 spent a fun evening in the home of T1 Barbara Schnipper (Emily, T1; Jonathan, N1) and were treated to an educationally tasty evening thanks to professional pastry chef Alexandra Cepelowicz (Eliana).

We learned about chocolate’s spicy past and its geographical journey to the sweet confection we recognize today. Alexandra brought a large assortment of cocoa beans and chocolates for us to sample and then led us through the process of molten chocolate cake baking.

Many thanks to Sarah Sultman (Evie) for arranging this evening, our gracious hostess, presenter and wonderful participants!

CHABAD ELC Torah Classes The surveys have been distributed and now we’re waiting for your response. Please return completed surveys to the school office. Thank You!

New Toddlers Registration for Morah Suri’s afternoon toddler class is now underway. Geared for children who are 18 months old by January 1, 2007; the New Toddler class begins after winter break on Tuesday, January 9. This class meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1-3 pm in the Toddler 1 room. For more information and to register, contact Pearl at 212-864-5010 x12 / [email protected]. Please Note: While children with siblings of current ELC students have priority, this class is also open to non-ELC families - so sign up today!

Cozy Corner #1 Our first Cozy Corner is now en route to a classroom at 97th Street and we can’t wait! We’d love to get some more for other classrooms at both sites. If you are interested in contributing towards a cozy corner, please contact Rivky at 212-864-5010 / [email protected]. Happy Birthday, Morah! Birthdays are for Morahs, too! We’ve recently celebrated quite a few Morah birthdays.

We wish Morahs Sarah Abrahamson (T1), Rivky Friedman (PN3), Rochel Van Etten (PN3) and Chanie Lepkivker (PN2) a year of blessings, good health and success in all areas.

Mazal Tov! Question: I love the Shabbat experience (especially the candle lighting and the kiddush), but why so many restrictions? No driving, no shopping, no playing music, no chatting on the phone - you're not even allowed to check your e-mail! Sounds more like a prison than a day of rest. Why not just focus on the beautiful rituals and the restful atmosphere? I'd love to start keeping Shabbat, but all that "don't do this" and "don't do that" is a real turn-off... Julie

Dear Julie in the universe. The universe - existence itself - is a Years ago, I attended a "shabbaton" (a Shabbat get- giant perpetual motion machine. Everything in it, from together). Most of the participants were not regular galaxies to atoms, is constantly spinning, vibrating, Shabbat observers. At one of the question-answer dividing and multiplying, deconstructing and sessions someone asked your question: Why so rebuilding, driving and striving. Not for a single many don'ts? The rabbi leading the shabbaton moment does our heart stop pumping, our brain responded by repeating a conversation he overheard churning, our soul yearning. Earning a living is work, the day before at his son's swimming class. running a home is work, vacationing is work. Rest? The very fact that we can even articulate the idea of The instructor had just concluded his ten-minute "rest" to ourselves is a miracle! introductory lecture on the joys and perils of swimming. "Any questions?" he asked. Indeed, our sages tell us that at the end of the six days of creation the world was complete. It had Ten-year-old Bobby raised his hand. "Can I play with everything - except for one element. "What was the my Gameboy while we're swimming?" world missing? Rest. With the coming of Shabbat came "No, Bobby," replied the instructor. "We shouldn't rest." Rest is a creation - if G-d had not created the have any electronic devices with us in the water..." seventh day, there would be no such thing as "rest." Even now, true rest is an elusive commodity, "How about Scrabble then? Can I play Scrabble obtainable only via the active experience of Shabbat. while I'm swimming - that's not electronic." And to experience Shabbat rest, we need to cease "No, Bobby, I don't think that would be possible." work - that is, cease all creative involvement with our "Can I wear my new cowboy boots?" world. Plowing a field, for example, constitutes "I really wouldn't recommend wearing cowboy creative involvement with the world. Converting boots while swimming, Bobby." matter into energy (which is what we do every time we press down on the gas pedal or turn on an And so it went. Bobby was disappointed to learn electrical appliance) constitutes creative involvement that he couldn't ride his bicycle, play the piano, with the world. If you're creatively involving, you're paint the garage or eat a grilled cheese sandwich not resting. while swimming. He finally left in disgust -- who needs swimming anyway, if all it is a bunch of Swimming can be a very restricting state - if you forget you're-not-alloweds! about what it is you're doing and just think about all the things you're not doing because you're doing what Bobby, of course, was being ridiculous. Swimming is you're doing. Shabbat, too, may feel restrictive at first. not a bunch of don'ts. Swimming is a positive But once you shrug off those activity. Obviously, if you're going to be swimming, cowboy boots and chuck you're going to stop doing all the things that all thoughts of the interfere with that activity. piano playing out On Shabbat we enter into a state of rest. "Rest" of your mind, the sounds easy. It isn't. It is the most unnatural activity rest kicks in. TORAH FAX Chabad Weekly Bulletin page 9 Just Doing My Job The Akeidah, the story of the binding of Isaac, is one of the R. Yisroel of Ruzhin, the great Chassidic master, explains this most powerful and enigmatic stories we read in the Torah. "walking together" of Abraham and his youths in a rather novel Many have grappled with the issue of how Abraham, the man way. Many, if not most people, upon meeting a challenge, feel who is characterized by our tradition as the kindest human a sense of accomplishment that gives them a certain feeling of being to have ever lived, could have been prepared to carry out superiority. Occasionally this can make them arrogant and the sacrifice of his beloved son, Isaac. In this message we will cause them to act condescendingly to others. The greater the focus on the way Abraham's incredible achievement affected challenge, contrasted with the insignificant nature of the other him and how it can be applied to our own generation. individual, can make the gulf between them even wider. In the beginning of the narrative of the Akeidah, the Torah tells Abraham was returning from the Akeidah, history's greatest us that as Abraham and Isaac approached the Temple Mount in achievement. And yet, he felt not a trace of superiority over the Jerusalem, the site of the Akeidah, Abraham left his "youths," simple youths with whom he was walking, who indeed, did not (Ne'arim in Hebrew, helpers who traveled with Abraham and even have the slightest inkling of what had just transpired. This Isaac) and continued on the last leg of the journey alone with was one powerful feature of Abraham's greatness. To reach so Isaac. At this point in the narrative, Isaac still did not know the high and yet not feel that he was better than another. purpose of the trip, namely - that he was intended to be sacri- ficed. Yet the Torah tells us, "And the two walked together." We may add that the word "youths" used by the Torah in this Their walking together, Rashi informs us, was meant to convey verse is instructive in yet another way. Abraham was not a that, "Abraham who knew that he was going to slaughter his young man. And now that he had passed the test of the son walked with the same degree of desire and joy as Isaac who Akeidah-the tenth and last test G-d administered to him, did not sense what was about to happen." according to our Sages-Abraham was entitled to feel his age and retire. Instead, the Torah tells us that "Abraham returned to A few verses later, the Torah tells us-according to Rashi's trans- his youths," after such an illustrious career he did not rest on his lation - that Abraham revealed to his son Isaac that he was laurels, but returned to his youthful endeavors. He continued going to besacrificed in place of the lamb. Yet, the Torah testi- his life's work of bringing the light of Judaism, justice and fies once more that "the two walked together," suggesting that righteousness to the world. "He arose," and did not falter or Isaac went wholeheartedly with Abraham, despite the fact that experience any "burnout." "And he went together with them." he knew that he was to be slaughtered. He did not even fall behind the level and pace of his youthful achievements. It is evident from these two interpretations that our Sages understood the phrase "and the two walked together," as an The Jewish people have gone through Abraham's ten tests, indication that they were emotionally on the same page. Based many tens of times. We have demonstrated incredible sacrifice on this premise, a question arises: When Abraham returned and devotion to G-d and humanity. In this advanced state our from the site of the Akeidah with his youths-who were oblivi- journey through exile, and at the pinnacle of our achievements, ous to the entire ordeal of the Akeidah-the Torah also employs some might feel a tinge of arrogance or burnout, or both. The a similar expression: "And Abraham returned to his youths, and message of this week's parsha is that even, nay especially, after they arose and they walked together." What message does the reaching this advanced level, we must return to our youthful Torah want to convey to us when it lumps Abraham and his state. We must humbly, but optimistically and enthusiastically, youths together? It certainly does not just mean that they phys- march forward to the new age of goodness and holiness that ically rode together. But how could it mean that they were will accompany the future Redemption that we have been wait- together emotionally? How could we suggest that Abraham, ing for for close to 2,000 years. Now is not the time to retire who had just performed the ultimate act of sacrifice, and passed from our Jewish accomplishments, but to "return to our youths, the greatest test in history with flying colors, experienced the arise and walk together with them." Or, in the words of the same lack of emotion as his youths, who were far away (both prophet: "Return us, o G-d to You and we shall return, renew geographically and spiritually) from the entire episode? our days as of old." Moshiach Matters... The Midrash (Yalkut Shimoni) tells us that in the future, G-d will reveal the secrets of the Torah through Moshiach. The Rambam, in his commentary on the Mishnah (Sanhedrin) says the same thing: “Wondrous (Torah teachings) will be revealed through him (Moshiach).” (, vol. 22, pg. 76, note 10,11) Moshiach - It’s a Jewish issue. For more info, visit www.moshiach.com Halachic Times Week of - November 8 - 15 NEXT WEEK AT A GLANCE

Earliest (latest of the week) ...... 5:50 AM Shabbat Parshat Chaye Sarah ...... NOVEMBER 17-18

Latest Shma (earliest of the week) ...... 9:06 AM Friday, November 17 Candle Lighting ...... 4:18 PM Torah Reading: ...... VaYera (Genesis 18:1 - 22:24)

Haftorah ...... II Kings 4:1-37 Saturday, November 18 Shabbat ends...... 5:20 PM Shabbat Parshat VaYera

FRIDAY, November 11 STUDY ONLINE Candle Lighting ...... 4:24 pm Mincha ...... 4:30 pm Now, serious study is no further than your computer. There are dozens of whole books that can be accessed Kabbalat Shabbat ...... 5:00 pm and studied online, ranging from Chassidic thought and Kabbalah to Jewish history, halachah and Talmud. Visit SHABBAT, November 12 www.chabad.org/library and Parshah Shiur ...... 9:00 am www.sichosinenglish.org/books Shacharit ...... 9:45 am Dvar Torah ...... Rabbi Kugel ***Kids Shul & Junior Minyan ...... 11:00 - 12:15*** Kiddush: ...... approx. 12:30 PM Wanted:

Kiddush is sponsored by Greg and Channie Bell Torah Readers

Rambam ...... 3:25 pm Chabad is looking for volunteer Ba’al Korehs. If you or Mincha ...... 4:25 pm someone you know can layn a Parshah - we would love Ma’ariv & Havdallah ...... 5:25 pm to have you layn at Chabad. Whether you want to refresh your Bar Mitzvah Parshah and want to prepare a Each week, a Video of the Rebbe is shown after new one, please call our office. Havdallah. The following Parshahs are already reserved:

Daily Minyan: VaYera, November 11 Sunday: ...... 9 AM Rabbi Naftali Kleinman Monday & Thursday: ...... 7:15 AM Toldot, November 25 Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday: ...... 7:30 AM Daniel Rubinoff Rosh Chodesh: ...... 7 AM

Learn Rambam everyday at VaYeshev (first Shabbat of Chanukah), December 16 www.chabadwestside.org/dailystudy/rambam.asp Ilan Nordmann

VaYigash, December 30 Thank you Jeremy Sanders

Thank you Dan & Leah Seliger for your donation of Shemot, January 13 beautiful new Taleisim to the Shul. The donation was Avi Friedman made in honor of Schneur Bistirtzky. Mishpatim, February 17 If you would like to make a donation of Seforim or goods Jeremy Sanders to the Chabad Shul - in honor of any occassion - please contacte the office. Chabad Weekly Bulletin page 10 KIDDUSH SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: MAZEL TOV!

Sponsoring a Kiddush is a great way to share you We wish a heartfelt mazel Tov to Marc Mandelbaum Simchah or special family event with the community! and Lisa Rosenbaum upon their recent engagement. May they merit to build a Binyan Adei Ad - and ever- Kiddushim can be sponsored to celebrate a birthday, lasting home in Israel. graduation or to commemorate the Yahrzeit of a loved one. Kiddush sponsors are encouraged to share some Associates, Comrades and Friends words of Torah at their Kiddush. Kiddushim cost $300, $400 or $500. A little noticed fact in this week’s Parsha is that the first person mentioned in it is not Abraham - although he To sponsor a kiddush, please email Rabbi Fried at obviously plays the pivotal role in the Parshah - but [email protected], or call at 212-864-5010 x 14. Mamre. The Parshah begins by saying that G-d revealed Himself to “him” (intentionally avoiding using KIDDUSH SCHEDULE: Abraham’s name) in the plains of Mamre. Mamre was Shabbat VaYera, November 11, ...... one of three associates Abraham had, the other two Kiddush is sponsored by Greg and Channie Bell were known as Aner and Eshkol. When Abraham was told by G-d to circumcise himself at the age of 99, he Shabbat Chaye Sarah, November 18,...... sought the advice of these three. Aner and Eshkol both Kiddush is sponsored by Yitzchok Barber in honor of advised him against doing it, saying that it was danger- his move to the West Side. Beruchim Habaim! ous. In addition they argued that the Bris would jeop- Shabbat Toldot, November 25, ...... ardize Abraham’s life work of spreading monotheism Kiddush is sponsored by Daniel Rubinoff in honor of and morality. After all, how could anyone take his Ufruf and his upcoming marriage to Ronit Klein Abraham’s message seriously if he would mutilate him- self that way? This act would only show Abraham to be Shabbat VaYetzei, December 2, ...... a hypocrite and would delegitimize everything he stood Kiddush is sponsored by Moshe and Levana for. Kirschenbaum in honor of the wedding of their daughter Bella to Meir Pliskin. Only Mamre was steadfast in his support for Abraham and pushed him to go forward with the Bris. Mamre Shabbat VaYishlach, December 9, ...... told Abraham that he should have total faith in G-d. Kiddush is available Just as G-d had saved him numerous times in the past, so too would He save him from any harm - whether to The Rebbe Rashab and the Parshah of the week his body, his message, his mission or his reputation - in In conjunction with 20 Cheshvan, the birthday of the fifth this instance as well. Rebbe of Chabad, the Rebbe Rashab, which falls out on this Shabbat, we present a story recorded by his son, the Because of this sage advice from a true friend, G-d Previous Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Schneersohn. revealed himself to Abraham immediately after the cir- cumcision on Mamre’s property. In addition, He hon- "When my father (the Rebbe Rashab) was 4 or 5 years ored Mamre by having his name mentioned first in our old, he went to his grandfather, The Tzemach Tzedek (the Parshah. third Rebbe of Chabad) on Shabbat VaYera and began to Some commentators wonder why Abraham needed cry as he asked, 'Why did G-d show Himself to our father advice at all. Didn’t he have total faith in Hashem? Did Avraham - but He does not show Himself to us?' The he question whether he should follow a direct command Tzemach Tzedek answered him: 'When a tzaddik decides from G-d? One of the answers offered by the commen- at the age of 99 years that he should be circumcised, he taries: Abraham never questioned for a minute whether deserves that G-d appear to him.'" he was going to go through with the Bris. He asked his friends in order to see what was in their hearts. He The Rebbe notes an important message we can learn from wanted to know if they were on the same page as he this story: each of us, even though we may be "children," was with regard to faith and belief in G-d. As a result of mean ing we may be unsophisticated in our spiritual their responses, Abraham realized his only true friend development, can still cry and demand that G-d reveal was Mamre. (from Me’Am Loez) Himself to us....