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contents

WE SEE G-D’S HAND IN THE HOLY 4 LAND [CONT.] D’var Malchus CHASSIDIC UNITY TO BRING 7 MOSHIACH Thought | Zvi Homnick THE SHLICHUS OF GABI AND RIVKY 10 CONTINUES! Feature | Rabbi Sholom Yaakov Chazan HOLY DOUGHNUTS 14 Moshiach & Science | Aryeh Gotfryd, PhD

WHEN A MARRIES 14 Kislev 16 USA 744 Eastern Parkway , NY 11213-3409 Tel: (718) 778-8000 RED ALERT! NETANYAHU STARTS Fax: (718) 778-0800 20 [email protected] GOLAN WITHDRAWAL www.beismoshiach.org Shleimus HaAretz | Raanan Isserof EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: GEULA: WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR? M.M. Hendel 24 Moshiach & Geula | R’ Gershon Avtzon ENGLISH EDITOR: Boruch Merkur [email protected] HEBREW EDITOR: SAYING “NO” TO LAVISH WEDDINGS Rabbi Sholom Yaakov Chazan 26 Feature | Yisroel Yehuda [email protected]

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d’var malchus WE SEE G-D’S HAND IN THE HOLY LAND

Translated by Boruch Merkur

and complete redemption through Recently a sicha, reviewed and edited our righteous Moshiach, who will by the Rebbe MH”M, was discovered take every single Jew to Eretz Yisroel, to “the land which the and published – a “new” sicha, which eyes of G-d are upon it from the beginning of the year until the provides fresh insight into the end of the year.” The preparation for this must resemble the preciousness of the Holy Land and the outcome. To that end, every single Jew, in whatever place he special spiritual qualities of Jewish may be, must make it women. * From the address of recognizable in his household and his surroundings – and certainly Thursday, 21 Sivan 5730, Parshas his own family – that “the eyes of G-d are upon it from the Shlach. * Part 2 of 2 beginning of the year until the end of the year,” that G-dliness shines there from the beginning [Continued from last week] Jew so that he doesn’t need of the year until the end of the 4. Another lesson can be medical attention from the outset. year, irrespective of whether it is learned from the above in light of In general, this principle is in Shabbos, Yom Tov, or a regular the principle that the preparation accordance with what it says in workday. for every blessing received from the Gemara – that G-d interacts And when someone comes and On High must resemble the with his creations in a manner wants to temper his enthusiasm, blessing desired. that is “measure for measure”; the saying that there is an angel who That is, when one wishes to aspect that one presents to G-d is directs the affairs of the country, receive, for example, an increase reciprocated in kind to the Jew and it is through this angel that in livelihood, in money, the who needs His blessing. blessings and resources are drawn segula (the spiritual catalyst for On this basis we can derive from G-d, to the extent that one this) is to increase in giving the correct approach to evoking must reckon with this angel for money to charity, as in the saying the fulfillment of the wish of each everything that comes from G-d, of the Gemara, “the preservative and every one of us, together especially insofar as [the of money is diminution [i.e., with all the Jewish people. itself says] “the law of the land is spending money on charitable Namely, the wish that very soon law” – all of this is only with and benevolent causes]” (K’subos we experience the fulfillment of regard to monetary issues and 66b). So too, when one wishes to the Biblical promise, “I have taxes and the like, matters which strengthen his health, the advice broken the bars of your yoke, and have no relevance to fear of for this is to see to the wellbeing made you walk upright” (VaYikra Heaven and religion. In those of another Jew, by visiting those 26:13), that G-d will shatter the specific conditions one reckons who are ill, or assisting another walls of exile and bring the true

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~ the “new” sicha ~

with the state and fulfills the law its path]. When one studies a of the land where he lives, being story in the Torah, this itself that the state has an angel strengthens the faculties needed overseeing it, whose function is to fulfil the instructions derived to draw down from On High all from that story. blessings and influence. However, Therefore, when it comes to with regard to matters related to the week when the Torah speaks Torah, fear of Heaven, and about how the Jewish people must , every Jew (in every go and conquer Eretz Yisroel, place) has no authority upon him and the notion of sending spies is other than G-d his L-rd. He considered, the Torah prays and requests everything he immediately tells us that women needs from G-d directly, and G-d have no need for that; they have sends and gives him blessings and no desire for it and they have no success in all that he needs. The need for it. Rather, they depend angel can do nothing to change it upon G-d, knowing that at all; he cannot even delay it – conquering the land is something so long as one’s prayer to G-d is that must be done, and can be as it should be. done, and shall be done. They 5. The story of the spies and have no need for investigations the commendable reaction of the and determinations, to spy and women teaches us that since scout and to formulate opinions. women have particular spiritual How is this actually done in qualities – that they love “the the simple sense? As discussed land which the eyes of G-d are above, by each woman, here in upon it from the beginning of the the Diaspora (and how much year until the end of the year” – more so does this apply to the they also have special spiritual women of Eretz Yisroel) doing all qualities that enable them to that is dependent upon them to Every single Jew make of their families, their make of their “four cubits” – their must make it homes, and environments that family, home, and environment – they too should be “Eretz that it should be overtly seen, recognizable in Yisroel.” That is, a land, a home, even with the unassisted human a family, and an environment that eye, that G-dliness is visibly his household and is befitting of . Indeed, every perceptible there all year long, Jew is called by the name from the first day of the year until his surroundings “Yisroel.” It is, therefore, the last day of the year. immediately understood that And then the women ask, – and certainly since it is a Jewish home and a “Give us an inheritance.” That is, his own family – Jewish environment, “the eyes of they ask, through Moshe G-d are upon it,” they are found Rabbeinu, from G-d, to apportion that G-dliness there together with G-d, as it for them an inheritance and a were, and G-d watches over it property, to have a holding shines there, “from the beginning of the year (which is the simple meaning of to the end of the year,” every day the word “achuza” (estate)) in irrespective of throughout the course of the Eretz Yisroel. This process begins entire year. with establishing a spiritual Eretz whether it is The Torah (which is not just a Yisroel [i.e., making their Shabbos, Yom Tov, historical narrative, nor is it surrounds pervaded with sanctity merely an instruction as to how and G-dliness], which they do or a regular things ought to be now) gives us while it is still the time of exile. more than a lesson; it generates And in so doing, they bring the workday. the power and ability [to walk in repossession of Eretz Yisroel

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those who will be under their with us; do not fear them” Since it is a sphere of influence (Shlach 14:9). G-d is with every Jewish home and And of particular note, we single Jew, especially with the have with us those who utilized Jewish masses, even more a Jewish the summer for counselling and particularly with the Jewish body guiding Jewish children that they at large, in every place they may environment, “the should grow up in the way that be, to the extent that “their Moshe Rabbeinu outlined in the shadow (the [protective] shadow eyes of G-d are Torah, which is a guide for living of G-d –Rashi) has abandoned life from day to day, to go in the them [the enemies of the Jewish upon it,” they are way of the Torah, for in this people]” (ibid). Thus, they are found there manner they receive all blessings, not affected by all those who are both spiritually and materially. not friends of the Jewish people together with G-d, By fulfilling their duties with (to put it mildly), and they know joy and goodness of heart and in that “we shall surely go up” – as it were, and a complete and perfect manner, it that soon we will go to the true shall be fulfilled in them, amongst and complete redemption, by G-d watches over all the Jewish people and means of illuminating the end of everyone together, that very soon exile with the “candle of a Mitzva it “from the we will merit to greet our and the light of Torah,” by beginning of the righteous Moshiach in the true increasing in Torah and in and complete redemption. mitzvos in their daily life. year to the end of They should not be put off by And then we will leave this the fact that there are those who exile – with kindness and mercy the year,” every make calculations to the effect and “with the joy of the days of that the nation who dwells there yore upon their heads” – and day throughout is powerful, that there are many experience the true and complete nations who are intolerant of the redemption, “with our youths and the course of the Jewish people, many nations who our elders, etc., our sons and our entire year. oppose the Jewish people, and daughters,” (men and women, they have power and children and grandchildren) with fortifications, with all the details joy and goodness of heart, very closer in the simple sense. enumerated in the weekly Torah soon, with the true and complete This is accomplished by means portion. redemption through our righteous of preparing all those who are in They should not be dismayed Moshiach. Amen, may it be G-d’s their sphere of influence, helping by these fears, because “G-d is will. them to recognize the Divine providence that exists in every place a Jew is to be found, both throughout the week and on Shabbos and Yomim Tovim. And by doing so, they indeed see Divine providence, and the sight is beheld with joy and good heartedness. 6. We have with us today those who have completed a stage in their education, in order to advance to a higher level, and in order to utilize the knowledge they have acquired and learned for their own development and especially for the good of others,

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thought CHASSIDIC UNITY TO BRING MOSHIACH

By Rabbi Zvi Homnick

comments. People who found This eye-opening experience occupied themselves on the receiving end of my thoughts for a long time afterward. his sometimes clever but always withering attentions, would mostly Yes, I had witnessed the intense power slink off shamefacedly in search of cover. of the Ahavas Yisroel that the Rebbe Upon further research I discovered that the man was a had implanted within his Chassidim, genius, and even referred to as such by the Rebbe. Those of a such that it could completely overtake more psychoanalytical bent and even momentarily transform a attributed his less-than-sunny personality to the frustration of person whose personality (naturally or genius whose potential is not fully realized, utilized and appreciated. through force of habit) was strongly Though I had no way of knowing if that analysis was correct or not, invested in projecting negativity and and though I couldn’t help but wince internally every time his hostility... distinctive voice raised itself above the din of 770, I couldn’t help but SOUL UNITY of reasons, including the feel a liking for the man from a When I first began coming opportunity that it presented to distance. regularly as a newbie to 770 observe and learn from others, It was in the winter of 1993, Eastern Parkway, also known as something which the hubris of after a number of different people Lubavitch World Headquarters, I youth had long caused me to had been exhorting me for some found myself for all intents and eschew. time to begin sharing what I had purposes being completely ignored. As an observer on the scene, I learned and the insights that I had Apparently, the outreach instincts also got to see the amazing gleaned from the Rebbe’s of the locals didn’t extend to spectrum of people that were teachings, to audiences both inside someone of obviously religious drawn to the “four cubits” of the and outside of Lubavitch, appearance. Over time, a handful Rebbe, including many colorful particularly on the topics of of individuals did reach out a characters. One such person who Moshiach and Geula which were friendly hand and I got to know a stood out from the crowd was a very much the topics of the day, few people here and there, but for Chassid of formidable height and that I sent in a note to the Rebbe the first two years I was pretty girth, who would make his asking if I should do so. The main much anonymous. At the time, I presence known through his reason that I included for considered that a plus for a number frequently loud (and I mean continuing to maintain a lower seriously loud) and abrasive profile and focus on my own

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personal growth was the fact that I followed by a ringing stinging again. was a latecomer with serious insult, putdown or criticism, at a This eye-opening experience Misnagdic ego issues, and who was sound level that guaranteed that occupied my thoughts for a long I to open my mouth in the presence every person present heard it loud time afterward. Yes, I had of those who had merited to bask and clear. witnessed the intense power of the in the Rebbe’s presence for years We continued to have the Ahavas Yisroel that the Rebbe and years. occasional mutually enjoyable implanted within his Chassidim, The secretary (Rabbi BK) conversation, and in the privacy of such that it could completely reported back to me that the Rebbe those conversations I let him know overtake and even momentarily had nodded his head in the that my own verbal dueling skills transform a person whose affirmative to the question whether were equal to the task, but when in personality (naturally or through I should begin looking for public, I never responded in kind force of habit) was strongly opportunities to speak in public, and even thanked him (jokingly?) invested in projecting negativity and he nodded again to the on occasion for helping me make and hostility. However, it was question as to whether it was up for the lost years of being obvious that this was coming from appropriate for little old me to deprived of Chassidic “ego- Above as a divine revelation to the address Lubavitch audiences as crushing.” Over time, despite our soul, awakening the innate unity well. As much as my guts were age differences, differences in between Jewish souls, and only in churning when I sent in the temperament, views and the context of reaching out to those question, they really started doing personality, we developed and with little or no background. flip-flops when I received the maintained a fairly comfortable Similarly, when it came to times of answer along with a bracha. The casual friendship. duress and hardship, one could see impact of the Rebbe’s blessing was One day, I happened to be the amazing love and fellowship immediate and within a relatively standing in the hallway of 770, amongst Chassidim that brief time, I found myself very when a group of secularly raised transcended anything seen before much in the public eye. Jewish teenagers walked in. The in Jewish history. As my name and face became group seemed to be part of a tour, However, it seemed that in more public, I was approached by and I observed and listened in as order to access and harness that the aforementioned larger-than-life the tour guide spoke to them. After level of love and unity for one’s individual. We had a pleasant addressing them, he left them fellow Chassidim on a regular enough conversation about my standing in the hall presumably as basis, even in the face of strong background and antecedents, he went to check out the situation differences and/or disagreements, quickly falling into what I can only inside, and they were just milling this required much inner work, and describe as “verbal shorthand” about looking a little lost and out even someone who was a paragon (sort of the informal language of of place. Suddenly, I saw my of love and concern for his not-yet- the exceptionally bright), which he “friend” exit from the shul and observant brethren, could turn into seemed to really enjoy. I remember noticing the group he immediately a snarling hateful antagonist when walking away feeling really good went over and began to talk to it came to internal debates and that having come to this person’s some of them. If I hadn’t witnessed disputes. The troubling questions attention we had had a positive it with my own eyes, I would never were, why is it that way? What interaction, because the idea of believe it. I was moved to tears as I could I do and what do I need to being on his bad side filled me with watched and listened, as his entire do on an individual level? What dread. Oy vey, little did I know. visage, demeanor, body language could be done and what needs to From that point on, it could be in and verbal style, went through a be done on a communal level? the mikva (unclad and nowhere to complete transformation and all I hide), it could be in 770 (with could see was a Jew, a Chassid, CHASSIDIC UNITY every eye turned my way), it could overflowing with love, compassion Over the years, the Rebbe cited be on the street or in one of the and warmth for his fellow Jews. I on numerous occasions the story local stores or eateries (out in felt that I could literally see the told by the Rebbe Rayatz about the public with an audience of men, Ahavas Yisroel of the Rebbe shining Tzemach Tzedek who stood strong women and children), I might through this person, and I would against the government position suddenly hear my name being never look at him or any other during the famous gathering in bellowed, “Hey, Homnick,” Chassid of the Rebbe the same way Petersburg aimed at making

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determinations regarding Jewish for? He asks that he do so, “for my education. Time and again, he was At the wedding reception for the sake and for the sake of peace, placed under arrest and threatened Rebbe and Chaya because peace does not derive from with the direst of consequences and Mushka on the 14th of Kislev quarrel ch”v, and especially from a yet he wouldn’t back down in the 5689/1928, the Rebbe Rayatz gave dispute for the sake of Heaven, slightest. His words and actions out a gift to each of the invited such that most miseries and were seen by some as outright guests (he also sent it to many adversities are a result of disputes treason against the Czarist regime, others who could not attend). The for the sake of Heaven, may the and they felt that his life was in real gift was a photocopy of a note Merciful One save us from it.” danger. One of the greats of the written by the Alter Rebbe in his Time and again the Rebbe has time, who was present at this own handwriting, along with a brief taught us that anything related to gathering, asked the Tzemach historical background of the note. the life of a Rebbe and every action Tzedek how he was allowed to put This note was addressed to Reb taken by a Rebbe, especially as it himself into mortal danger, adding Moshe Meisels, a Chassid of the relates to revealing Torah and that if he hadn’t considered the Alter Rebbe who had publicly Chassidus, has zero elements of consequences to himself, he should dressed down his fellow Chassid coincidence and every detail is have at least thought of the Reb Meir Rephael’s, who held thought out and intentional with a Chassidim and other Jews. The communal office in the city of message for us. Clearly, the Rebbe Tzemach Tzedek gave a two- Vilna, over how to deal with and Rayatz was sending us, the pronged response. Firstly, there respond to the pressures and generation of Chassidim of the were his sons, and secondly, “If the attacks from the Misnagdim. Many Rebbe, at this most auspicious time Chassidim will band together they of the young Torah giants amongst which the Rebbe described as “the will prevail until Moshiach comes.” the Chassidim of the time felt that day that connected me to you and At a on the eve of Reb Meir’s approach was too you to me,” a vital message. the 13th of Nisan, 5726/1966, one conciliatory and in his naïve hundred years from the passing of attempts to try to make peace he THE UNITY DIVIDE the Tzemach Tzaddik, the Rebbe was not working hard enough to When someone is in a very pointed out that at this time there stand up to the opposition, and close relationship, especially one are no sons and he concludes, “and protect his fellow Chassidim from that is the result of a deep and this we will accomplish with the their vindictive behavior. At a instinctual soul bond, the love and unity of the Chassidim – as the public gathering where these issues sense of connectedness tends to Tzemach Tzedek responded then – were debated, Reb Moshe took become something that is taken for which cancels all the decrees and their side against Reb Meir. granted and as such cools down, (negative) matters, and bursts At the time, the Alter Rebbe and over time becomes through all the boundaries, and sent a message to this group saying progressively less effusive, except at brings down the ‘truth of G-d’ all that they were absolutely right, but times when the connection is the way here ‘into the world.’” the mind has to rule the heart and threatened or some distance is And yet, despite all we have this has to manifest in the form of created in the relationship. In seen and heard about the great good character and love for every addition, when you truly love and unity amongst Chassidim of earlier Jew. Therefore they should back care for someone, the idea that generations, there have always been down and know that “in the end they are pursuing a course that is differences, some of which have led the honor of G-d will come, when wrong and bad for them and others to overt religious warfare and even the wellsprings will be spread forth, is simply intolerable. The father complete splits. How do these two the wellspring of the House of G-d, who is insane with grief and extremes coexist within the same that was revealed through our anguish over a bad choice that his people, and how do we resolve the teacher the Baal Shem Tov, and the son makes, hardly cares about all problem, especially as it is key in world will be filled with the the other people’s sons who make these final moments before knowledge of G-d.” It was the same life mistake. So, when the complete redemption that we following these events that the Alter love is cool and the feelings of “cancel all the decrees...and burst Rebbe sent the note to Reb Moshe upset are hot, it creates an through all the boundaries” so that in which he writes that Reb Moshe environment in which people who we be reunited with the Rebbe, should publicly ask forgiveness love and care about each other something we all passionately yearn from Reb Meir. [Continued on pg. 15]

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feature THE SHLICHUS OF GABI AND RIVKY CONTINUES!

Interview by Rabbi Sholom Yaakov Chazan Two years have passed since the brutal murder of shluchim R’ Gavriel and Rivka Holtzberg in their house in Bombay. * It wasn’t only the world of Chabad that closely followed the story as it unfolded, but rather the entire world was witness to an unprecedented Kiddush Hashem and the spiritual awakening that resulted. * Since then, R’ Gabi’s father, R’ Nachman Holtzberg, has been touring the world giving words of chizuk. He paused to give Beis Moshiach some insight into the tremendous impact their tragically short lives have had, even and especially after their passing... powerful feelings generated by it are Since the tragedy, you have been following the massacre continued? etched into people’s hearts. Even if traveling the world and speaking. As time passes people tend to people don’t think about it on a daily Has the enormous hisorerus forget, but when something as basis, when they meet me and hear (spiritual arousal) immediately traumatic as this takes place, the stories about Gabi and Rivky, their

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unbelievable Ahavas Yisroel and their their z’chus (merit). There are many The great esteem with which the activities to bring the Geula, they are others like her. Gerrer Rebbe regarded them was inspired once again as though You visit groups other than evidenced in the fact that he reliving those moments we all Lubavitchers too, and even those personally came when the bodies experienced two years ago. who are not Chassidim. What kind were brought to Eretz Yisroel and he I’ve yet to meet with someone of reception do they give you? attended the funeral and the who wasn’t moved. People are I visited a yeshivish community Shloshim. It was highly unusual for excited to see me and they call over and they said they can’t forget the him. their children so they can see Gabi’s tremendous achdus (unity) in the When I attended an evening of father. They all want to see pictures frum world after the tragedy. “We hisorerus with Skverer Chassidim, of Moishy. In line with the Rebbe’s didn’t forget the mesirus nefesh of hundreds of Chassidim came led by approach, I try to inspire and give the shluchim,” they said, and they their Rebbe. When it was over, their chizuk (strength), and people tell me also said that now that they are Rebbe asked me to come to his in amazement: “We thought that aware of the tremendous work of the room and tell him more about Gabi when we meet you we will have to Rebbe’s shluchim, their feelings of and Rivky. We sat there for over an give you strength, but you are alienation from us have gone down hour. He was very moved and cried strengthening us!” greatly. throughout our conversation. I recently visited a family in New We were recently invited to speak By the way, at the end of the York and when the wife saw me she in Ger - I spoke to the boys and my Shiva, the Toldos Aharon Rebbe wife addressed the girls. From one asked me and my mechutan, R’ of the principals I was led to Shimon Rosenberg, to come and understand that this was an visit him. He had lost his son-in-law instruction from the Gerer Rebbe in the same massacre. When we sat who wanted the students in his with him to say l’chaim, he said that schools to learn from Gabi and before he became Admur he had Rivky’s mesirus nefesh. learned a shiur in Chassidus for a I was reminded that on the few years with my father, R’ Moshe Motzaei Shabbos before the funeral, Tzvi and he felt that when it was I was at the Kosel and after I said decreed that his son-in-law be killed Kaddish a Gerrer Chassid in my son’s that a approached me and asked whether I spiritual circle had been closed. was Gabi’s father. When I said that I L’havdil, even non-Jews are was, he asked that I go over to his excited to meet me. They often stop friend who was standing nearby. The me in the street and ask: “Are you friend, a diamond dealer and a Gabi’s father?” Gerrer Chassid, told me that a few One day I got a phone call from months earlier he wanted to go to a priest who told me that he had Bombay with eight other Chassidim researched the story of Gabi and for business purposes. When he Rivky and was amazed by how this asked the Gerrer Rebbe for a bracha talented young man left his for the trip, the Rebbe reacted with community and went to a place like dismay: “Bombay? What about that just in order to help people. davening with a minyan? What “There is no such thing like that about a Jewish atmosphere?” with us. Only the Jewish people can The Chassid told the Rebbe that be so devoted.” in Bombay there was a shliach of the After several phone conversations Lubavitcher Rebbe by the name of we met in person and he told me Rabbi , a young that he had decided to convert. He is talmid chacham who gives shiurim a Noachide now and has started the began to cry. She said not a day every day in Chassidus, Gemara and conversion process. “After I convert passes that she doesn’t think about Halacha. A few days later the Gerrer I will go on a media tour to explain the tragedy. She lights candles every Rebbe told that Chassid: “I looked the uniqueness of the Jewish day l’ilui nishmasam and on Erev into it and everything you said was people,” he said. Shabbos her children give tz’daka in true. Go in peace.” Do people tell you about

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STORIES I’VE HEARD ABOUT GABI AND RIVKY rupees for food for them, he brought her 50,000 rupees the next day and asked that she prepare food During the trips that R’ Holtzberg makes around for all the neighbors. the world he meets with hundreds of people who *When I was in Australia the original plan was passed through the Chabad house in Bombay and for me to give lectures in Sydney. I had some extra have wonderful stories to tell about Gabi and Rivky: free days and we decided to go to Melbourne for the *Someone told me that his brother-in-law was weekend. I gave a few lectures there too, in and out with Gabi and Rivky shortly before the tragedy. He of the Chabad community. Between lectures, a local would visit the Chabad house often and he knew person came over to me and excitedly said he had to that Rivky usually did not ask for favors. She did talk to me. everything herself, happily. To his surprise, Rivky The story I heard from him was incredible. A asked him whether he could do her a favor and take month before the attack he visited the Chabad house a package to the airport and give it to a woman in Bombay. Rivky, who was always interested in the traveling to . He agreed and managed to locate families of visitors so she could be of help, asked the woman and give her the package. him to show her his family album of pictures. When Upon his return, despite the late hour, Rivky was she saw his daughter she asked: “What about a waiting to hear that the woman received the shidduch?” He told her that just that Motzaei package. When she noticed his surprise she said Shabbos she was going to meet a boy. that the woman was a kibbutznikit who did not eat Rivky was happy to hear this and wished them kosher. During her visit to she spent four success and then he asked: “If I send you a ticket to weeks at the Chabad house, where Rivky convinced the wedding, will you come?” Rivky said she would. her to start eating kosher. “Today they told her that Then he asked Gabi: “If I send you two tickets, will her flight was moved earlier and she rushed to the you come, too?” He said he would be happy to airport. Since she has a long flight ahead of her, I attend. was afraid that without kosher food she might eat The very night they were murdered, his daughter treif again. So it was important to me that you bring became engaged. He said that after their death he her the package of kosher food.” flew to the graves to invite them to the wedding. *Someone in California told me that he has an He concluded emotionally: “My daughter is American Express card and shortly after the tragedy getting married this Sunday and you and your wife he called customer service and someone with an have just arrived in Melbourne. I am sure that Gabi Indian accent answered the phone. As you know, and Rivky sent you to take their place and attend many American companies use customer service the wedding and you are, of course, invited to representatives in India. While talking, he asked her come!” where in India she was from. She said she lives in We went to the wedding and it was tremendously Bombay in the neighborhood of the Chabad house. moving. I danced with the chassan and my wife She told him that Gabi was concerned not only for danced with the kalla and in the middle of the the Jews but also for his non-Jewish neighbors. wedding the father stood up and told all the guests When she once told him about the financial plight of this story. the neighbors and asked that he donate 20,000

activities they did l’ilui Rivky and there are even four sets of met a professor who is not observant nishmasam? twins called Gabi and Rivky. who told me that after the tragedy I hear of hundreds of activities I met a big fertility specialist he asked a rabbi what to do in their done l’ilui nishmasam. Dozens of from New Jersey. Each treatment he memory. The rabbi suggested that Sifrei Torah were written in their does costs $20,000. He told me that he start a shiur at the university. He memory, six mikvaos, soup kitchens, when he heard about the tragedy he started a shiur that quickly grew and and nearly fifteen preschools were was greatly moved and he decided to from that a whole congregation established in their memories. That’s donate his services for free to sixty evolved. aside from the hundreds of children couples associated with the How do define your role now? who were named for them. It’s an shluchim, l’ilui nishmas Gabi and It’s brought in s’farim that every amazing thing - close to 700 Rivky. person has a mission in the world children were named either Gabi or When I was in Johannesburg, I and when he dies, a vacuum is

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created that needs to be filled. This 00 vacuum is filled by saying Kaddish. food I feel that my role is to fill the tremendous void left by Gabi and was Rivky’s deaths: to go to every Jew extra and tell him the time of the Geula or the has arrived and that this tragedy was d out another stage in the preparation for local Geula. My feeling was that this time had to of unusual achdus and the spiritual uplift was auspicious for the Geula A and if undesirable things hadn’t house mixed in, the Geula would surely be n the here. ed I go from city to city and meet When people and tell them this. When I a meet children I say to each boy: You can be Gabi, and to every girl: You can be Rivky. Your role is to do em more good deeds to hasten the ket to Geula. ould. The Chabad house was left in a , will shambles. What are your plans for R’ Gavriel Holtzberg hy”d talking with a mekurav of the Chabad house the future? first rate security. Of course, if Especially these days after the Immediately after the attack Hashem doesn’t protect you, no auspicious days of the Yemei ghter people made the mental connection security measures will help, but it is Ha’Geula 12-13 Tammuz. It is he with the events of in possible to secure the place with known to what extent the Rebbe, g. 5716/1956 in which terrorists natural means. my father-in-law, was moser nefesh murdered boys in the vocational We started construction recently. for chinuch al taharas ha’kodesh wife school. When they informed the We are looking now for sources of (sacrificed for pure Jewish Gabi Rebbe, he said: “In building they will money and hope to complete the education) even when it entailed nd be consoled.” We also feel we must building soon so that the great light danger, and all the more so must rebuild the Chabad house. that came forth from Gabi and Rivky there be efforts exerted in a I have a video that was taken will be restored. location where there is no danger dously after Gabi finished building the I’ll end with an amazing story. and on the contrary. e Chabad house. He spoke to When we started talking about journalists and said that he wanted *** rebuilding the Chabad house, I met ests this building to be an active Chabad What is your message to the someone in Australia who greatly house, that people would be happy shluchim? desired to help but he wasn’t sure to walk in and receive material and Gabi and Rivky worked to spread that we were doing the right thing. spiritual help, and that he even the Besuras Ha’Geula with He said to me: “You believe that the wanted to make a there. He tremendous achdus and Ahavas Rebbe answers through the Igros did, in fact, make a yeshiva for Yisroel. This is the message that all Kodesh, so let’s ask the Rebbe.” The young Jewish Indian boys who made the shluchim ought to take with man wrote a letter and then we put great progress in their Jewish studies them - to increase in spreading the it into a volume of Igros Kodesh. and right before the massacre they Besuras Ha’Geula, all with achdus The Rebbe’s answer was in volume were learning the laws of Choshen and Ahavas Yisroel. 21, page 463, and it left no doubt Mishpat with him! When this is done with genuine that not only are we supposed to There are people who said there love it is accepted and Jews are build but there is no danger at all in were security problems in rebuilding inspired to add in Torah and mitzvos doing so: the Chabad house and that’s why it in order to be ready for Moshiach. About your writing concerning has been delayed but we got the And when Moshiach comes we will the need for a mosad etc. the doubt opinions of many security experts see Gabi and Rivky again - they will and question about it is surprising. who said we can rebuild and have be in the front row.

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 764 13 764_Beis Moshiach 15/11/2010 9:34 AM Page 14

moshiach & science

Unlike pre-borns who “eat” through their navels, we eat through our mouths. When the food hits the palate, we experience the flavor, in HOLY Hebrew, taam. Taam also means reason and the pleasure of physical taste derives from the pleasure within chochma, wisdom, the highest faculty of the soul. DOUGHNUTS To release the flavor we have to break up the food with our 32 teeth, which derive from the 32 paths of wisdom described in Seifer Yetzira, By Aryeh Gotfryd, PhD the original book of Kabbalah attributed to Abraham, nearly 4000 The purpose of a Jew’s existence about the spirit, why do we make a years ago. When we chew l’sheim is to make this world a fit big deal about the food? Shamayim, for the sake of heaven, dwelling place for G-d, to make The truth is that every culture the flavor released ascends to brain, the physical a receptacle for the marks special occasions with food. the mind, and the soul, right up to Divine. And this finds its Reasons for this range from social its root in taanug d’chochma, the ultimate expression when even to psychological, and from ethnic to delight within this higher wisdom. one’s mundane actions, not just organic. I would like to focus on This is really a process of Torah and mitzvos, are dedicated another suggestion for why there’s redemption because there is a spark to G-d. digestion – it’s part kabbalistic and of divinity within that flavor and it --From Days of Destiny, part Meshiachistic, as follows:[1] fell into this world through a adapted from the teachings Our sages compare the process process called shviras ha’keilim, the of the Rebbe. of redemption to birth, and the shattering of the vessels, which took prior stage of exile to pregnancy. place before the beginning of time. Ahh… Chanukah. The festival of Within the womb, the fetus is curled That spark has been waiting for you light, the miracle of oil. Dreidels, up with the head near the heart and since then, waiting for you to decide Chanukah gelt, jelly doughnuts and the knees brought up around the if you will redeem it by eating for latkes (alias potato pancakes). Is it head. the sake of heaven or eat it, rather, the memories that warm your heart, Similarly, a person in exile is in a for the sake of “yum that’s tasty, or is it the heartburn that you topsy turvy position. Not only is life can I have more,” in which case it remember? As they say, the miracle in utero upside down, but over there falls into continued exile in the was that they ate one latke and it the head has no control over the depths of your gut. burned for eight days. Ouch. heart, nor does the heart rule the The failure to focus on divine Corny jokes aside (mainly), there lower faculties. So too in exile, our purpose during eating forces is more than a kernel of truth to the thoughts are no more meaningful bondage on the flavor-spark and on old kibbitz that all Jewish holidays than our speech, our speech no the consumer as well. Myopically have the same theme, and that is: better than our deeds. tied to a materialistic perspective, They tried to kill us, G-d saved us, Actually the opposite is the case. the mindless eater stays spiritually let’s eat! Just as the knees surround the head curled in a fetal heels-over-head But while the redemptions in the fetus, so too in exile, actions bundle, unable to liberate oneself marked by Purim and Pesach also speak louder than words, and and the environment through share that theme, Chanukah is a speech dominates thought. I am something so simple as … mindful little different. The Egyptians and sure we all know what it means to eating, chassidic style. the Persians waged war on us act without feeling, to feel without Even without divine purpose, physically, but the Greeks wanted to thinking. That’s life in exile, and it’s mindful eating has many benefits – destroy our soul. They fought not very liberating. it remediates stress, depression, against our faith and hence it is our But there is a way out. We can anxiety, chronic pain, and heart spiritual liberation that we mainly eat our way to redemption, literally. disease.[2] But once you infuse celebrate. Here is how it works, your eating experience with an This begs the question – if it’s all awareness of the One who created

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it, you do much more than celebrate simple? Just find a jelly doughnut, and educator living near Toronto, the experience of eating, you make a blessing, take a bite, and Canada. To contact, read more or to actually sanctify the food and the think “Ahh… Chanukah. This one is book him for a talk, visit flavor and the fun you have eating for you Hashem.” www.arniegotfryd.com or call 416-858- 9868 it, redeeming the moment, Maybe that’s why the doughnuts redeeming yourself, and tipping the have jelly instead of holes. It’s to tell scales toward a more conscious us that approached the right way, NOTES: world – a world redeemed by our holiness has substance and can truly [1] Based on Toras Menachem, Vol. 38, mindful interactions. be sweet. Book 1, p.341-2. Who would have imagined that Dr. Aryeh (Arnie) Gotfryd, PhD is a [2] The Center for Mindful Eating bringing Moshiach could be so chassid, environmental scientist, author

[Continued from pg. 9] We need to make a concerted give in for the sake of unity and into more heated and impassioned effort to see those close to us in the Chassidic brotherhood, because as altercations than those who don’t. light of their finest qualities and long as the wellsprings are being The Rebbe of our generation their inherent goodness and G- spread, the truth will out has infused all those connected dliness, or else we can end up eventually. But when it comes to with him with a degree of love for becoming like those people who those trying to prevent the his fellow Jew, beyond anything shower love and kindness on spreading of the wellsprings, who ever seen before, to the point that strangers, and generate hostility are actively working to hide the even the most simple have the and divisiveness amongst those truth, although we must avoid capacity to emulate our forefather they are closest to. That is why we confrontation at all costs, we don’t Avraham Avinu in building an open needed to be forewarned as far back down. And ultimately it is not th house in the spiritual desert, to back as the original 14 of Kislev, so much the innate unity that we shower love and kindness on every the point of original connection merited to have infused within us Jew, with complete self-sacrifice. with the Rebbe, to the dangers of from Above, but rather the unity The intensity of that love comes “disputes for the sake of Heaven.” that we bring out in ourselves by out more strongly when dealing However, we also needed banding together for a common with those we are connecting with guidelines as to when, and goal and purpose, despite our across a distance, both spatial and regarding what, one should give in, differences, as many and wide- spiritual, whereas with those close especially when dealing with issues ranging as they may be, that we to us the love is more innate and that affect following the Rebbe’s will cancel all decrees and burst all less overt, cooler and less instructions. boundaries and bring about the passionate, and that same intensity Even when it comes to matters wedding celebration of Hashem of passion is likely to express itself that the Alter Rebbe himself and the Jewish people, with the in the negative. testifies that you are right and the coming of Moshiach, immediately, other person is wrong, one should NOW!

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BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 764 15 764_Beis Moshiach 15/11/2010 9:34 AM Page 16

14 kislev WHEN A REBBE MARRIES

What dowry did the Rebbe Maharash receive? Why wasn’t the Rebbe Maharash present at the wedding of his son, the Rebbe Rashab? How old was the Rebbe Rashab when he was engaged? Why did the Rebbe Rashab pause in the middle of the maamer at his son’s wedding? How did Rabbi Meir Shapiro react after talking in learning with the Rebbe MH”M? * Thoughts on the weddings of Beis HaRav, in honor of 14 Kislev, the anniversary of the Rebbe and Rebbetzin.

“THE ABILITIES I she would bless him at the chuppa. her bracha. INHERITED FROM MY When the chassan repeated this to When she saw that he would not give in, she asked for water to wash HUSBAND” his father, his father told him to go back and ask her for a bracha then her hands and then placed her hands On the day of the Rebbe and there. on his head and in the presence of Maharash’s wedding, his father, the The Maharash went back to the two witnesses, she blessed him as Tzemach Tzedek told him to go to kitchen. The Rebbetzin was follows: the kitchen and ask his particularly busy and many women “Yehi ratzon that all the kochos grandmother, Rebbetzin Sheina for were bustling about and carrying out (abilities, powers) I inherited from a bracha. The chassan went to ask her instructions. In the midst of this my husband [the Mitteler Rebbe], for her bracha but she responded in hullabaloo stood the chassan should rest upon your head!” annoyance that the day was long and insisting that he needed to receive When the Tzemach Tzedek

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The kalla did so and then added he removed the feather. [in a play on words through (Seifer HaSichos Toras Sholom) transposing the wording of the Gemara], “The blessing of a kalla WHO IS BIGGER shouldn’t be considered mundane in your eyes.” THAN WHOM At the wedding, the Tzemach In the year 5625/1875, when the Tzedek was very joyous and he said Rebbe Rashab was four years old, much Chassidus. his grandfather, the Tzemach The great Chassidim such as R’ Tzedek said he wanted to make a Isaac of Homil, R’ Nechemia of shidduch for him and he suggested Dubrovna, R’ Yitzchok Isaac of his granddaughter Shterna Sarah, Vitebsk, R’ Hillel of Paritch, R’ the youngest daughter of his son, R’ Peretz of Beshenkowitz, R’ Pesach of Yosef Yitzchok. Malastovka, and others who Regarding this it is told: participated in the simcha, In his childhood, the Rashab farbrenged together in great joy. spent nearly all day in the Tzemach (Likkutei Sippurim - Perlov, p. 131) Tzedek’s house. One time, when Rebbetzin Shterna Sarah, the daughter of his uncle, R’ Yosef IN THE FUTURE Yitzchok of Ovrutch was there, the The Rebbe Maharash was not Tzemach Tzedek referred to them as present at the wedding of the Rebbe “Chassan and kalla.” Rashab because of his poor health. R’ Yosef Yitzchok asked his Only his wife, Rebbetzin Rivka, father, the Tzemach Tzedek: traveled with her son, the chassan, “Perhaps when he grows up he to the wedding. won’t be suitable for her?” A week before the wedding, the His father replied: “This young Rebbe Maharash accompanied his one will be greater than you!” son to the town of Achremova, (Chanoch L’Naar) where he said Chassidus and told wondrous things. When he finished saying THE DRAWING DOWN Chassidus he said to his son: “Now OF A NEW LIGHT is the revelation of the ‘mochin Regarding the wedding of the d’ima’ and that is why the mother of Rebbe Rayatz it is said that while the chassan is traveling, but in the saying the maamer, when the Rebbe future, when the ‘mochin d’abba’ [Rashab] spoke about the concept of (i.e. after the coming of Moshiach) “simcha poretz geder” (joy breaking will be revealed, I will also be there.” boundaries), he suddenly stopped The Rebbe Maharash told his son and said that the matter was not to wear a shtraimel at his concealed from him. The Rebbe got heard the wording of the blessing he wedding and in general, not to wear up and went to where the maamer was very pleased. it except in Lubavitch. That is what was and looked at it, returned to his (Ateres Malchuso) the Rebbe Rashab did all his life; he place and continued saying the only wore the shtraimel in maamer. BLESSING Lubavitch. On Shabbos Parshas Teitzei, FOR THE BRIDE On this trip, the chassan and his 5714/1954, the Rebbe spoke about mother brought a gift for the kalla, a the Rebbe Rashab stopping in the That very day, the kalla went to new hat. The gift was in a box on middle of the maamer and he her father-in-law, the Tzemach the wagon. The Rebbe asked what explained: Tzedek and received his blessing for was in the box and when he was told “Generally, things like this did her marriage. At this time, the Rebbe it was a hat for the kalla he asked to not happen. How is it possible to say asked that she bless him in return. see it. When they gave him the hat that it was hidden from him? What

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“Yehi ratzon that all the kochos YOU TOOK A WORLD CLASS GENIUS AS (abilities, powers) I inherited from my A SON-IN-LAW husband [the Mitteler Rebbe], should R’ Shmuel Zalmanov a”h related that he had the privilege of being the rest upon your head!” waiter appointed to the head table at the Rebbe’s wedding: As a young bachur it wasn’t it means is that the concept THE REBBE proper for me to hover near the disappeared to its source temporarily DISTRIBUTED MASHKE table, but in my job as waiter I in order that it be drawn down again Chassidim who were present at approached the table several times from the source. This was so that the wedding relate that the Rebbe and was able to see how the Rebbe the hamshacha be in a loftier Rayatz went from table to table with Rayatz turned to the famous gaon, manner than before, along the lines a towel over his shoulder like a Rabbi Meir Shapiro zt”l, rav of of a person sleeping at which time waiter and he distributed mashke Lublin, who sat next to the chassan, the kochos rise to their source and and blessed the guests. and suggested that he speak to the renewed kochos come down. This was a repeat of what his chassan in divrei Torah. So Rabbi “Things like this never happened father, the Rebbe Rashab, did at the Shapiro said to the Rebbe, “Nu, say except at the marriage of the Rebbe wedding of the Rebbe Rayatz, where something.” which is a general matter and the he went around … among the guests In the meantime, I moved away drawing down of a new light - at … and drank l’chaim with each one from the table out of politeness, but that time the joy and the saying of with warm blessings for each one I continued to follow what was Chassidus were unlimited.” according to his needs. going on and I saw how the Rebbe On Shabbos Parshas Naso, 5747, spoke quietly to him for a long time WHAT IS THIS the Rebbe related: and R’ Shapiro sat and listened and CHASSAN LIKE? “At my wedding meal the Rebbe, made brief comments. This went on a long time and at Regarding the Rebbe’s wedding it my father-in-law walked among the the end, R’ Shapiro said to the is told that before the chuppa, R’ guests to give out mashke and say Rebbe Rayatz: “Lubavitcher Rebbe, Berel Moshe Shmotkin asked the l’chaim. Seeing this, I could not you took as your son-in-law a gaon Rebbe Rayatz what the chassan was remain seated while my father-in-law olam (world class Torah genius).” like. The Rebbe responded: stood and gave out mashke and I Then R’ Shapiro asked the Rebbe “‘I gave my daughter to this stood up in order to try and at least to continue relating chiddushei man.’ He is proficient in Bavli and help by holding the mashke or Torah, but the Rebbe gently refused Yerushalmi, he knows Rishonim and holding the cup etc. The Rebbe saying: “Until now, I was Acharonim and more. At 4:00 in the turned to me immediately and commanded to do so; if I continue, morning he is never asleep - either motioned that I should remain that would be of my own volition.” he never went to sleep or he got up seated. already.” A Jew is stubborn … and seeing how my father-in-law was GROOM AND UNDER THE SKY circulating and distributing mashke FATHER-IN-LAW DANCE (or wine, I don’t remember After the meal, at about 3:30 At the Kabbalas Panim precisely) and he probably was AM, the Chassidic Admurim present (reception) before the wedding of a holding a cup, I began to get up got up and danced together in a Lubavitcher which took place in the again in order to help. Then my circle (as Poilish Chassidim do). winter, they told the Rebbe that due father-in-law looked at me [with an When they sat down to rest, the to the cold they were planning on exceedingly sharp look] and I Rebbe Rayatz took his son-in-law holding the chuppa indoors. The understood that I had to remain and danced quickly, hand on Rebbe said: “My wedding also took seated. I sat “on pins and needles” shoulder, as they do in Lubavitch. place in the winter and the chuppa … of course, but I sat, until he came The Admurim then left. was under the sky and I am, thank back and sat down to continue the (Nisuei HaN’siim) G-d, satisfied with the shidduch.” wedding meal.

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shleimus ha’aretz

between Israel and Lebanon. (See RED ALERT! satellite picture courtesy of Google Earth) What is strange, however, is that the Israel / Lebanon border runs right through the center of the town NETANYAHU (See that yellow line in the picture). Apparently this has been of considerable concern to the Arab residents, who have petitioned both the UN and Israel to become Israeli. STARTS GOLAN It seems to be “old news,” mentioned in October 2009 in HaAretz, a newspaper that usually reports news in support of “land for peace.” Here however, the article WITHDRAWAL expressed concern over the human tragedy involved. Even the Arab residents themselves do not wish to come under Hezbollah’s terror Raanan Isseroff machine controlling Lebanon: “Ghajar, on the other hand, is not a challenge. As far as the government is concerned, the big achievement happened in 2000 when the United Nations drew the so-called Blue Line to determine the final border between Israel and Lebanon, after the left. But in doing so the UN created a human tragedy, with the northern part of the village in Lebanon and the southern part in the Golan under Israel. Who in Lebanon needs Ghajar? It’s the only Alawite village in the world whose residents, some 2,000 people, hold Israeli ID cards. Even in Lebanon it’s considered part of Syria. Ghajar’s residents petitioned UN Town of Ghajar sitting half on the border of Israel and half on the border of representatives but failed to convince Lebanon thanks to the UN which divided the town contrary to the wishes of its them.” residents who wanted it to stay Israeli after it was captured in 1967. On the top Ignoring all this, Israel continues right is the kibbutz Snir. To the left are the Golan Heights soon (G-d forbid!) to its quest to satisfy its misplaced be given away as part of agreements between PM Netanyahu and Syria. In the feelings of “what will the world ravine at front is the River Snir, which leads into the Jordan River. think” at the expense of Jewish safety, by again bowing to UN Israel announced recently that it the River Snir (which means snow), demands. is withdrawing from the town of a Biblically referenced river that In 1967, when Israel captured Ghajar, a small and seemingly collects its waters from the snow the Golan Heights from Syria, unobtrusive town on its northern runoff from Mount Hermon. It is Ghajar remained a no-man’s land border, just under the Golan one of three tributaries feeding the for the next two and a half months. Heights. This small town, captured Jordan River. The non-Jewish Alawite villagers in 1967, sits on the border between This small river runs through a petitioned the Golan’s Israeli Israel and Lebanon at the head of ravine that creates a natural border governor to be annexed to Israel

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because they saw themselves as part the Government of Lebanon to Israel’s need to have these of the Golan Heights. Israel agreed deploy an international force to assist agreements enforced, Israel is setting to include Ghajar in its occupied it to exercise its authority throughout itself up for another dishonest territory and the residents accepted the territory, authorizes UNIFIL to agreement that has no hope of being living under Israeli rule. In 1981, take all necessary action in areas of fulfilled, satisfied with more false most villagers accepted Israeli deployment of its forces and as it promises from the UN and “Israel’s citizenship under the Golan Heights deems within its capabilities, to good friends” Lebanon and Syria Law. ensure that its area of operations is that all will be in good faith. Interestingly enough, while the not utilized for hostile activities of In other words, Israel complies town is divided according to UN any kind, to resist attempts by with her 14 conditions. Lebanon and resolution 1701 , only Israel seems forceful means to prevent it from the United Nations do not. Israel to be keeping its part of the bargain. discharging its duties under the plows forward “to Peace!” But what According to Wiki, the key mandate of the Security Council, and sort of a peace is this? resolutions of 1701 approved by the to protect United Nations personnel, According to Israel’s ”Land for Lebanese cabinet, of which 2 are facilities, installations and Peace” team, not only is this okay, Hezbollah members, are as follows: equipment, ensure the security and but it is touted as “progress,” with In addition to 14 demands upon freedom of movement of United Israel now prepared to enter into Israel, the Resolution demands the Nations personnel, humanitarian further false promises of Israel’s following from the other side: workers and, without prejudice to the security. Promises the other side *Full cessation of hostilities responsibility of the Government of didn’t keep before and will not keep (OP1) (The original wording: “Calls Lebanon, to protect civilians under in the future. for a full cessation of hostilities based imminent threat of physical One has to properly appreciate upon, in particular, the immediate violence.”) the lack of responsibility this cessation by Hezbollah of all attacks Israel is complying with represents, a complete lack of care and the immediate cessation by everything in Resolution 1701, yet for the citizens of Israel. What about Israel of all offensive military the other side complies with nothing. at least a proper respect for what operations” ) The resolutions which are Israel stands for as a stated mission *Israel to withdraw all of its supposed to be enforced by the UN of being a homeland of Jews? At forces from Lebanon in parallel & Lebanon are only 5. There is no least as a diplomatic country? Since with Lebanese and UNIFIL surprise that even these cannot be when is giving in to terrorist soldiers deploying throughout the kept to. They are Arabs and hate demands now defined as “Peace”? South (OP2) Jews. This is normal. “Halacha Perhaps one might argue that the *Hezbollah to be disarmed M’Mosheh MiSinai: Eisav Soneh Germans also had a version of (OP3) (The Original wording: “full L’Yaakov”. It is a Jewish law we “Peace” like this with the Jews. implementation of the relevant received from Moses on Mount When the Jews will be dead, we provisions of the Taif Accords, and of Sinai: “Eisav hates Jacob”. This is won’t fight with them. resolutions 1559 (2004) and 1680 normal. Further, it is doubtful that the (2006), that require the disarmament What is not normal is the Jewish people negotiating have any intent to of all armed groups in Lebanon, so response - Israel’s breaking of ever make peace. Each piece of land that, pursuant to the Lebanese diplomatic rules and putting her own that is given only spurs them on to cabinet decision of 27 July, 2006, citizenry in danger. In spite of years more bloodthirsty acts of terror. there will be no weapons or authority of repeatedly broken promises from Israel, meanwhile, simply rewards in Lebanon other than that of the “Peaceful” agreements with her Arab each act of terror with statements Lebanese State”) neighbors, Israel still withdraws. that “We Jews must have mesirat *Full control of Lebanon by the How is this peace in any form? nefesh for peace”. government of Lebanon (OP3) (in What peace can come for Israelis Knowing this, the government the original: “– no foreign forces in from having vital security from the goes on with “Peace Talks,” plotting Lebanon without the consent of its Northern border compromised? and planning which piece to give Government”) From another point of view, away next. Obviously nothing *No paramilitary forces, Israel is withdrawing without peaceful is in store for the Jews of including (and implying) demanding that the other side keep Israel, so what is really going on? Hezbollah, will be south of the to the agreements which were Rambam calls it: “The beginning Litani River (OP8). (In the original: supposed to be enforced by the UN. of retreat is the beginning of defeat” “Acting in support of a request from Now with a history of not respecting . It even rhymes in English just like

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 764 21 764_Beis Moshiach 15/11/2010 9:34 AM Page 22

ourselves. When G-d sends people against us, it is Not only that, but holding on to not for us to retreat from our position, this little town protects Tel Aviv. Yes, this little town in the North keeps whether it is philosophical or physical. the grand metropolis of Tel Aviv safe. How so? Rather it is a challenge that we must There is a famous story of a boy who saved the city of Amsterdam. face head on, in the most Jewish way The city of Amsterdam is actually built below sea level. It survives possible. surrounded by high walls that keep it does in Hebrew - a truth that is head on, in the most Jewish way the sea out. One day a little boy was universal. possible. walking by one of the walls and saw Furthermore, each retreat acts to This theme is repeated over and a hole with sea water pouring substantiate the enemy’s claim that over again in Torah. The bad guys through. Thinking fast, he stuck his Israel’s land was stolen. If the claim come, we stand up for what G-d finger in the hole, stopping the small is not true, why think to retreat? It’s wants, and there is help from Above. flow. He stood there for hours until Israel’s own behavior that We don’t look to the Republicans. finally someone found him and encourages the media to insist that We don’t look to the Democrats. We called for help. The story is famous there must be something to the don’t care if Obama does this or because from that little bit of water, claim. This results in more world- Hillary does that. We don’t depend the hole would easily have gotten wide vilification of Israel and Jews. on our might. The Jew is the boss bigger until it was an uncontrollable Meanwhile the land giveaway here, creating the options. flood. process goes on. Land is given as a We simply do what we are So too, our sages in their great reward to our enemies for their supposed to be doing as Jews in that wisdom write in Jewish Law an broken promises. time and place and a Shimshon, a amazing thought. If a Jewish town is It doesn’t need to be that way. Gidon, a Devorah, a Yael or a on the border of a country and it is If anything, this is a fulfillment of Yiftach is sent from Above to help attacked - or even if there is a doubt what Rashi brings on the first line of us. that an attack might occur - even if Chumash, the prophecy of Rabbi This what Rabbi Yitzchok means: it is Shabbos, one must go out and Yitzchok from 600 years ago that, “Tell them that G-d runs the world!” fight! Why? The Shulchan Aruch “The day will come when the Stand up and proclaim a simple explains: If this little town will fall, nations of the world will come to statement: “I am a Jew, the One then the rest of the country can you and say ‘You have stolen Israel’s who created you and I gave us this easily be overcome. That small land!’” Since we see that this part is land as an inheritance”. Herein is breach in the wall can become an being fulfilled, it must also be that the strength enough to stand up to unstoppable flood. the second part also will come the anti-Semitic negotiators. The This town of Ghajar may not about: “On that day you will tell world knows the Biblical claim for look like too much, but like the small them: ‘The One who created the Israel. But that’s not all there is to it. river Snir next to it, Ghajar is world gave them the land and took it Jews know that while the Biblical actually a key to bigger things. What from them and gave it to us .’” claim is important to proclaim to the happens to the river? It gets fed Historically, for a Jew, there is a outside world, still, there is another from the snow melting from Mount seder, a natural order. G-d gave us a level that is even more important. Hermon. The “Tal,” the dew of mission to fulfill and we are His “Pikuach nefesh docha ha’kol” - the Mount Hermon, later turns into the ambassadors, His Shluchim. There danger to Jewish life puts aside River Jordan. Spiritually, we each have always been the Eisavs who are everything. Here there is a have to guard that our “small border unhappy with the children of Jacob dangerous enemy and first, we need towns” don’t fall, for as we know, but this is part of the normal natural to ensure that Israel is safe. Jewish this can lead to bigger failures of a order of the world. When G-d sends life comes first. The Lubavitcher spiritual nature, G-d forbid. In such people against us, it is not for us to Rebbe tells us that the secret is to a way, the Rebbe discusses how a retreat from our position, whether it hold on to all of our borders and small thing like being tznius protects is philosophical or physical. Rather it with this, G-d will give us a blessing Jews from harm by causing the is a challenge that we must face in that we will be able to defend divine presence to rest amongst the Jewish people. At the same time we

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learn from the little river Snir that Not only that but the Rebbe us, the Chassidim. He was talking to the “Tal”, the dew of Torah can wants us to do it. For years the us. We are the only ones who the become bigger things spiritually. Rebbe spoke about the topic in his Rebbe can count on to make a Here too, the Lubavitcher Rebbe sichos. To who? To the guy in Tel difference. Coming up to Yud Tes is telling us in quoting this law of Aviv? We can delude ourselves that Kislev, we know this to be the truth. Shabbos from Shulchan Aruch that these were directed at the non- After all, who can one better depend in order to protect Tel Aviv, we must religious Jew in Eretz Yisroel, but a on than one who has been instilled ensure that Ghajar stays in Israel’s little introspection makes it clear that with the spark of Mesirus Nefesh? hands! these talks were actually directed at Please G-d.

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BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 764 23 764_Beis Moshiach 15/11/2010 9:34 AM Page 24

moshiach & geula

looking forward to Moshiach’s imminent arrival. Instead of being impressed, the teacher responded GEULA – critically! “Are you sure that you want Moshiach to come?” she asked dismissively. “Don’t you know that there will be a big ‘Judgment Day’ when Moshiach comes?” WHAT ARE The girl came home from school in tears. She told her father what the teacher had said, but the father did not know what to answer. When I showed him that the Rebbe writes WE WAITING (Igros Kodesh volume 2, page 65) that the “Judgment Day” is only for non-Jews, he was very excited. The point is clear: The more we are informed, the more we will FOR? anticipate the Geula. That is why the Rebbe says (Tazria-Metzora 5751) that learning about Moshiach, is the direct path to By R’ Gershon Avtzon bring Moshiach! The Rebbe encourages and demands us to “Live with Moshiach wondering: Why is it important to and the Times of Moshiach”. We Part 1. know what the world will be like need to get ourselves accustomed to This is the introduction to our in the Messianic era? Isn’t the the lifestyle of Moshiach. This not new series of articles. This series is main idea that I believe that only helps the transition, but actually coming after the success of our first Moshiach is coming? makes Moshiach come sooner! series entitled “Moshiach - What We The answer is simple: 1) When Hashem sees that we have Believe”. I want to start by Knowing the tremendous miracles taken the necessary steps and have explaining the difference between the that will transpire when Moshiach enhanced our Yiddishkait to begin two series. comes will serve to enhance our living with Moshiach, this The first series, “Moshiach - anticipation for Moshiach. 2) encourages Him to bring Moshiach. What We Believe” dealt with basic Misinformation about the era of This can only happen if we know questions on the fundamentals of the Moshiach can lead someone to lose what the lifestyle will be when Jewish belief in Moshiach and a his anticipation for Moshiach. Moshiach comes. Messianic era. We dealt with I will share a story that I [Obviously, this applies only to questions like “Why is it important personally witnessed: When I was things which are within the confines to believe in Moshiach”, “Why do learning in Lubavitch of Shulchan Aruch. If someone we believe in a human Moshiach”, Toronto, I gave the daily class in decides to break a Halacha with the “Do Jews believe that Moshiach can Inyanei Moshiach. One day, one of intention of “Living with Moshiach” be someone that had passed away?” the local members of the Lubavitch - for example: Someone may say etc. (If anyone wants a copy of that community came in to speak with that being that in the times of Geula, series, please email moshiachweekly me. all fast-days will be annulled, so that @gmail.com with a request). He told me that his daughter in person decides that they don’t want Our current series will be dealing learning in a non-Lubavitch girls to fast now! - this type of behavior with questions about life in the school. That morning, the teacher actually pushes away Moshiach!] Messianic era. “Will there be eating has asked the class what they were I want to share a story that and drinking in the Messianic era?” looking to in their lives. Most girls illustrates this point: “Who will arise first in the time of answered something personal, like a Some disciples of the Mezritcher the Resurrection?” etc. siblings wedding etc. but his Maggid wanted to see Eliyahu Many people may be daughter answered that she was HaNavi. The Maggid kept on

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pushing them off. One day the Maggid called them in and told them The Maggid smiled. “If you knew that that he will allow them to meet you were standing in front of Eliyahu Eliyahu HaNavi. They were obviously very excited. HaNavi, you wouldn’t talk to him in The Maggid told them that the non-Jewish landowner of their town Polish!!” is celebrating his birthday tomorrow. In his honor, many noblemen will be they ask me how come I live in the visiting their town. All the noblemen past. I answer: I don’t live in the come with their horse-driven past, I am showing you the lifestyle carriages. At midday, continued the of the future!] Maggid, all the carriages will make a This is in-line with the famous procession to the landowners’ story of the Tzemach Tzedek: mansion. The third carriage will be A Chassid once asked the carrying Eliyahu HaNavi disguised Tzemach Tzedek (the third Rebbe of as a nobleman. Chabad): “What is the point of The next day, the disciples got up exerting ourselves in the study of early and went to the Mikva. They Chassidus, which deals with made sure that they were waiting on abstractions that no mortal mind can the main street well before the time fully grasp? After all, when that the procession was scheduled to Moshiach comes, even those who pass. When the procession finally did not study Chassidus will know came, they jumped up to third G-d, as it is written, ‘For they will all wagon and said “Good Afternoon know me.’” Reb Eliyahu” in Polish. The Polish The Tzemach Tzedek replied: “A nobleman gave them a blank person listening to a conversation stare and kicked them out. They from the other side of a wall does know that we are about to enter came back to the Maggid very not grasp it all; he only grasps its Yemos HaMoshiach, we must adjust disappointed. general drift. But later, when the our thoughts, speech and action. When the Maggid saw their long- conversation is repeated to him in all What was good until now is not faces, he asked them what its detail, he understands everything befitting for today. When one stands happened. They told him that there that he had heard previously. Every waiting to see a King, he wears his must have been a mistake, for the moment or two he thinks, ‘Aha! Now best garments and acts on his nobleman that they saw I understand all those connections best behavior. You have to adjust to was definitely not Eliyahu HaNavi. and details!’ the life in the palace and not the For would Eliyahu treat them this “Here, too,” explained the other way around. way? Would he not answer them? Tzemach Tzedek, “it is true that It is obvious that as long as we The maggid asked them: “In someone who studies Chassidus are still in Galus, we will not be able what language did you greet him”? grasps only part of the subject. But to live the Geula-lifestyle completely. When they answered Polish, the when Moshiach will teach it in the But trying as hard as we can, gives Maggid smiled. “If you knew that Time to Come, that man will be able us a foretaste of what the future will you were standing in front of to look back and say, ‘Aha...!’ be like. Eliyahu HaNavi, you wouldn’t talk “And not only that, but someone [Rabbi Tzvi Freeman says: When to him in Polish!!” hearing those teachings for the people see my Chassidic clothing, The lesson is clear. When we second time will understand them much more deeply than someone When people see my Chassidic clothing, hearing it only for the first time. As the above-quoted verse says, ‘For they ask me how come I live in the past. they will all know Me, from their smallest to their greatest’ - and it is I answer: I don’t live in the past, I am obvious that the understanding of a young child cannot be compared to showing you the lifestyle of the future!] that of an adult.”

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 764 25 764_Beis Moshiach 15/11/2010 9:34 AM Page 26

feature

SAYING “NO” TO LAVISH WEDDINGS

By Yisroel Yehuda An overview of the Rebbe’s views on how to make a wedding, presented for 14 Kislev, the Rebbe’s anniversary.

Mazal Tov! Relatives and friends wedding. exclusive wedding (so people will flock to the house to give their When a parent gets involved with talk about it). Each side has its heartfelt brachos and to share the wedding preparations, he knows that preferences as to what to spend on excitement with the newly engaged it is comprised of hundreds of and what’s important to them. couple. details. Some of the details are a Most Lubavitchers opt for a Late at night, when the house primary focus, without which the standard wedding, one which is finally settles down, it seems as wedding won’t happen like the hall, respectable and doesn’t cost a though the family can finally relax. reception, wedding, clothing, menu, fortune, though it still costs plenty. Boruch Hashem, a match has been chuppa, music etc. There are other finally made after an anxious period details that are not essential but for of inquiries and meetings. But the some reason they have become so, WHO DECIDES parents know good and well that such as photography, flowers, video, WHAT IS STANDARD? they are about to face a long, hard, decoration of the kalla’s chair, Parents may recall that their own and winding road until the wedding. t’shura etc. Within these details weddings were of a different sort; a The day after the l’chaim the there are many possibilities and nice though simple hall with a parents come back down to earth, to levels which usually depend on the modest band and menu and a p. 17 reality. There is a long list of things quality of the service. (relatively) small number of guests, ^^^^ to do and buy, with every detail The mechutanim are the ones without the many details that we see ^^^^^ requiring full attention and thought, who decide on what sort of wedding at today’s weddings, and yet, it was ^^^^^ keeping the parents occupied and they will make. They are faced with a lovely, happy wedding and they ^^^^ preoccupied throughout the the choice of making a “standard” lived happily ever after. preparation period before the wedding, a simple wedding, or an The purpose of this article is not

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Chassidim would know the Rebbe’s opinion on the matter. With time, the standard of living climbed in Israel, too, and people began to do things that entail great expense. Most of these expenses had nothing to do with the simcha of the chassan and kalla but were picked up from other places and with time became the “standard.” Some readers might be thinking: what’s so bad about that? These external things add to the joy of the chassan and kalla! For example, video with two photographers, a many piece band that generates great simcha, equipment that enables relatives who can’t attend the wedding to be able to see it live, and various things that add to the beauty of the affair. Yes, many innovations add to the joy of chassan and kalla and yet, we need to act like Chassidim and it’s so important that every Chassid know what the Rebbe thinks about this and act accordingly. Then surely the young couple will merit all the brachos, and the preparations for the wedding will go far more easily.

THEY PRAISE US to urge a return to days of old. about old-time weddings. Chassidim Among other frum groups a Many new things have come up who came from Russia brought with wedding is an event that needs to be since then and the policy of Chabad them the simplicity that they were prepared for with the utmost is to make use of modernity for accustomed to and since, in Eretz seriousness, which is why they have matters of k’dusha. However, “the Yisroel, life was simple, the a long engagement, both for spiritual good ol’ days” reminds us that every weddings that they made were reasons as well as simply to have era has its standards and these similar in style to the ones made in enough time to prepare. In Israel standards usually have nothing to do Russia. they need to worry about buying an with new horaos. One or two people In America, though, when Anash apartment and fully supporting the set a whole new expectation in the came from Russia, they saw that couple, and time is needed for this. community and others follow them people who had been living there for Among certain groups the father until it becomes “the way things are years were used to a higher material goes abroad (i.e. leaves Israel) to done” and if you don’t do it that standard and weddings took place raise money to pay for the expenses way, it seems as if the validity of the with far greater pomp and of the wedding and an apartment. marriage is in question. ceremony. Oftentimes, the burden of debt The Rebbe screamed about this When R’ Nissan Nemenov came makes him ill. Religious newspapers many times. to the United States, the Rebbe that try to fight this phenomenon spoke to him in yechidus about the always refer to Chabad, where THE HISTORY lavishness of Lubavitcher weddings. parents do not promise an OF THE STANDARD The Rebbe was not pleased about it apartment in the pre-engagement and R’ Nissan publicized this so A long time ago we had an article financial negotiations. Nor do they

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“father of the chassan and the The “noise” and “publicity” that result mother of the kalla” that they sit from trivial and superficial things cause throughout this time [of preparation for the wedding] and confusion and lack of peace of mind for learn Derech Chaim or Tzena U’r’ena, for after all, they need to soul and body, especially in matters of prepare for the wedding. From what the Rebbe says, it is “hiddur” in worldly things … clear that it is a mitzva to have a respectable wedding and that it be a expend the huge amounts that are everything is necessary for a great simcha. Surely effort should be accepted as the norm among other respectable simcha, it’s very hard to expended on those details which groups. decide what to cut out. bring joy to all. That’s as far as the The leaders of various groups wedding itself, but what about all the have enacted takanos (rules) to fight IT’S A MITZVA TO side-things that come along with the feeling that so many people have SPEND ON A WEDDING making a wedding? that they must keep up with and copy others who make big weddings Many wedding practices are and spend a fortune. The practice learned from Mattan Torah, when A RESPECTABLE (of our Rebbeim) to hold the Hashem was the groom and we were WEDDING? YES. wedding on Friday was “to minimize the bride. Mattan Torah was a most OSTENTATIOUS? NO! impressive event. The entire world expenses that are expended on a Just as we learn from Mattan was silent because of the glory of wedding.” Chazal in their time were Torah about the idea of publicity G-d that rested upon the mountain concerned about this and they and the public nature of a th with not a bird chirping etc. The enacted for the 15 of Av that the wedding, we also learn another entire world knew that G-d was girls wear borrowed white clothes so awesome thing … The Luchos that giving the Torah to his bride, the as not to shame those who were were given on Mt. Sinai “since they Jewish people. lacking. were given publicly, the evil eye There is an inyan to spend on a The Gerrer Rebbe, the Lev reigned over them and they were wedding and it is important to Simcha zt”l, enacted strict rules that broken, and here Hashem said to publicize the wedding, as the Rebbe limit the number of guests at a him [to Moshe Rabbeinu] ‘there is says: wedding as well as other rules, nothing more beautiful than 1-The publicity of a marriage desiring that weddings be of a modesty.’” Indeed, the second [that so-and-so the son of so-and- certain standard so as to minimize Luchos, which were given in a so and his female counterpart excessive spending by those who modest way, lasted. From here decided to marry] and the don’t have the money. Chazal learn another idea gathering of people etc. is an inyan In any case, a wedding today, regarding a wedding, [the verse according to Torah - as Chazal say, even in Chabad, is a major says] “and walk modestly with it is one of those things which is undertaking, replete with countless your G-d” - this refers to the done publicly - and this has a details which usually require a great simcha of a chassan and kalla. number of halachic ramifications deal of time and money. Sometimes, Rashi explains that “walking … 2-It is self-understood that - even on the day of the chuppa itself, modestly” regarding a wedding similar to all other aspects of which is an auspicious time for the means “to eat in nice measure and Torah and mitzvos - the concept of chassan, kalla and their parents, and to rejoice in nice measure.” “at no cost,” [i.e., making a ought to be utilized for holy The Rebbe said this to a Chassid wedding in a miserly manner,] purposes, they find themselves who had yechidus with his family should not be entertained; it is a dealing with trivial matters and (other parts of this yechidus will mitzva to take part in the funding technical problems that arise. appear later in this article), and financing of a wedding (as is Even when someone resolves to explaining that “walking modestly” to be understood from the fact that cut expenses, it’s not easy to do. doesn’t mean to have a small our Sages speak at length about One’s child only gets married once wedding without publicity etc. but to the greatness of hachnasas kalla). (we hope), and so one feels minimize the expenses and increase Elsewhere, the Rebbe says: uncomfortable minimizing the the simcha. It’s impossible to demand of the simcha. Even when realizing that not But the “noise” and “publicity”

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that result from trivial and superficial things cause confusion and lack of peace of mind for soul and body, especially in matters of “hiddur” in worldly things … (and especially in quite a few instances with shocking extravagances) and therefore it is undesirable … I have already noted several times that we see that the greater the “hiddur” in trivial and superficial things (the opposite of “making a nice meal”) – the more we see how the inner and spiritual aspects are lacking and true joy is lacking (rejoicing nicely, i.e. properly). In Lubavitch they did not hold of making g’zeiros (rules) (here the Rebbe smiled and said: Although I did make a rule …) but for the benefit of chassan and kalla it is very worthwhile to minimize , R’ Yehoshua Heschel Tzeitlin at a wedding expenses, especially those that are in the category of wastefulness. the young couple for the rest of The idea of “walking modestly” their lives. Going on at length needs to be appropriate to every about this is unnecessary. Although place according to the terms of that Chazal spoke a great deal about place etc. but in any case, in my the greatness of marrying off a humble opinion, the “excesses” kalla and the preparations for this, associated with weddings lately in at this time, I think the hiddur general, and here in the United needs to be in spiritual States in particular - begins with preparations and the extra the preparations beforehand, on expenditures - to be dedicated to matters of Torah and mitzvos for the day of the wedding itself, and R’ Zushe Wilyamovsky, the Partisan, afterwards too - in many cases the the merit of both the chassan and bringing joy to a chassan and kalla opposite of “walking modestly” kalla. and “and there is nothing more To someone who apparently benefit, not even materially. It is beautiful than modesty.” wrote to the Rebbe that many guests true that our Sages speak in As I said, it is not for me to invited to the wedding would cause exceedingly effusive terms about decrease in the simchas of Jewish great expenses, the Rebbe wrote: the importance of causing chassan people and I don’t want to limit As far as how to make a and kalla to rejoice, and how each and make rules about the number wedding, whether to increase the and every individual is obligated in of guests etc. number of guests etc. in which this [to enhance their joy]. Elsewhere, the Rebbe says: case this entails going into great Nevertheless, we verily observe And just consider, if one is so debt, as you write, in my opinion that the greatest degree of joy preoccupied with the expenses of this is not worthwhile … results when the wedding is not the chuppa and the accoutrements As far as a hall the Rebbe writes: made in a formal hall, a hall that where it is only a matter of one day Regarding what you write about costs a “king’s ransom” (hon and most of the expenses result the wedding arrangements - in to’afos), but rather when the from the desire to find favor in general I am not at all pleased by wedding is made in as simple and people’s eyes, how much more one the squandering of money on unpretentious a manner as possible should be preoccupied with the renting a hall and other such (b’ofen d’kol depashit maaleh spiritual preparations which affect things - expenses which have no t’fei).

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worthwhile for a number of WHAT DO THE PROFESSIONALS SAY? reasons. R’ Yaron Neeman, mashgiach in yeshivas Chabad in Tzfas, has The Rebbe used unusually sharp married off dozens of bachurim who came to Chabad, taking care of all language to denounce the their needs from beginning to end, from the dates to the end of Sheva squandering of money and luxuries Brachos. Oftentimes the chassan and kalla had nothing and all expenses in connection with weddings. From were his burden and he raised the money for them. what the Rebbe says, it seems there In your experience, do externals make a wedding nicer and more are two points: 1) the unnecessary joyous? expenditure of money, 2) It’s the guests and the music that make a wedding. When the guests involvement with trivial things at a come in order to bring joy, the wedding is nicer and more joyous. We time when a person ought to be busy and have always tried to make a wedding that brings honor to the hosts - with lofty matters. I’m referring to the food which is average or a little better but nicely In a number of letters the Rebbe that presented. All extras such as flowers don’t pertain to the simcha itself suggests the middle way, as he said and we have managed quite well without them. to someone in yechidus: trivial At these weddings that you arrange, many unobservant guests It would seem that in this rficial attend. They are more familiar with exclusive weddings. matter, one should adopt - as in the It has happened that they come with reservations about the quality p’sak din of the Rambam in all the cause of the wedding (as they put it). I’ll admit that the buffet at the reception affairs of man - the middle path, confirmed their doubts because it’s usually not lavish, but when the though in any case my view is clear d lack dancing begins they are impressed. This happens time and again and that a Jewish, Chassidic wedding they learn what simcha is and what a nice wedding is really like. must be expansive in all spiritual nd for “When there is great joy, lavishness is unnecessary ….” matters - and this is connected R’ Shimon Bitton, manager of the Kol Yisroel band, agrees: with minimizing expenses in body, There are three main requirements for a decent wedding: the hall material things. matters should be nice and tastefully designed; the menu should be respectable *** and standard; and the same for the music. In my experience you can Weddings are made by two sides ” in transform a simple hall into something special with simple props. The and they often don’t agree. The food too - a fancy menu doesn’t improve the simcha. People don’t Rebbe warns: … notice that the meal served at this wedding costs two dollars more a Furthermore and this is also plate than at the other wedding. It certainly doesn’t add to the joy of essential: the above was obviously the wedding which is the main thing. said so that it be done in a way of R’ Chanoch Maidovnik, psychologist and marriage counselor: pleasantness etc. and not that it In my experience working with young couples, one of the first and should cause arguments (especially most common “breakdowns” happens over money matters. When among the women, for Chazal preparations for the wedding are made externally nice in order to were careful to avoid arguments. impress, the money is the main factor and in many cases it leads to And elsewhere: arguments between the couple about which side paid more. If parents It is also obvious that things have the money, they would be better off giving it to the couple. must be arranged in a pleasant “Regarding a chassan and kalla: in order for you to build your home manner and with the full on a strong foundation, it would be worthwhile investing of your time agreement of both sides, including to learn about the Jewish home (i.e. establishing a home, shalom bayis). the views of the women and their This will have a far greater effect on your future happiness than desires. investing time and thought in a fleeting event.” This point is especially important A well-known Lubavitcher shadchan says: since many of the extras have to do Except for unusual cases, money is not a factor in concluding a with the women, and this must be shidduch, because it usually comes up much later and also since most dealt with sensitively. Lubavitchers make standard weddings (which also cost plenty). HOW SHOULD It is not at all understood why a when what matters is that it be a THIS BE DONE? person should compel himself to wedding big in quality … What the In order to fulfill the Rebbe’s take on extraordinary expenses in world calls big mit a tararam instructions, it would be a good idea order for it to be a big wedding etc. (with a big fuss) etc. - is not

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for every parent to consult with a rav or mashpia who knows the family (and the mechutan’s family) to determine what to cut out and how to plan for the wedding and to do so in a harmonious way. Most people are aware that many things needed for the wedding that will be used only once can be borrowed or rented. “Shtick” to make a wedding leibedig, a gown for the kalla and other female relatives, and even centerpieces can be procured without purchasing them outright. Those who don’t want to wear borrowed clothing can plan on buying or having clothes made that will be used for other simchas. Even for those things which cannot be rented or borrowed, there are varying levels of service and price and generally, even lesser quality can make a fine wedding. For A Chassidic wedding in Montreal example, a beautiful wedding can be made in a less expensive hall. This is Also, it’s important to carefully what the Rebbe told a chassan who discuss what you want with the asked whether to make his wedding photographer so you know what you in a small hall: will be getting at what cost. In that place (I think) there is a The main point is to objectively mechitza that turns the hall into examine what adds to the simcha, two halls. If so, that is in a manner what causes Chassidishe simcha, [that can be described as] “that the what is secondary and what is worth joy is in His dwelling.” paying for, and based on this, to About the wedding not being that spend on that which is worthwhile and eschew that which is not. big the Rebbe wrote: Recent weddings of Anash [Not big] materialistically, but particularly through this it will be HELPING THE COUPLE with expenses but in addition, one big in ruchnius (spirituality) and In contrast to the expenses of the should not skimp on them. Surely even Jewish gashmius. wedding, where the Rebbe says to this is part of those things which This is true for the music too. minimize them, when it comes to the are designated to a person during One-man bands are popular these comforts of the young couple, the the ten days between Rosh days. Rebbe encourages parents to be HaShana and Yom Kippur, and When cutting out or minimizing generous. To a Chassid who wrote when a person sets himself up in certain things, it’s a good idea to that the other side is ready to take an expansive way, Hashem explain to the young couple that the on all the expenses of an apartment provides for him expansively. money that will be saved will be and furnishings for the couple, the The Rebbe talks about this in a given to them and will start them off Rebbe wrote: number of other places and from all in life after all the guests go home In matters of holiness there of them we can see that he wants following the wedding. There are doesn’t need to be the concept of parents to put more into providing weddings where people pay “at no cost,” [in a miserly expansively for the couple. It makes hundreds, if not thousands, of manner,] and all the more so with sense even on the level of daas dollars for flowers or other extras the marriage of a daughter, that tachton (lowly human intellect), for while the couple receives no not only ought this to be associated while the purpose of a lavish financial help.

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needs to be preoccupied with these To someone who (apparently) said that he would postpone the matters so that his wedding will be wedding because he was financially unable to make the wedding, the like everybody else’s … we see that Rebbe said: at the first wedding, of Adam About the claim that there aren’t suitable clothes etc. - it is HaRishon, that not only weren’t understood how absurd this is in relation to such an important there color photos but there matter as mentioned, and which affects all of life like a wedding and weren’t even any in black and even if it were certain that there are scoffers, the beginning of all white … it was all pure and four parts of Shulchan Aruch says not to be ashamed etc. especially nevertheless it was a successful when it is something imaginary, since there are no scoffers about wedding! … this even in the US where they have a reputation throughout the In another response the Rebbe world that money is held in such importance… wrote: To someone who wrote to the Rebbe that he hoped the vort would You are correct in negating be in an appropriate way, the Rebbe wrote: these “customs” which our [The appropriate way is] the opposite of what has been done lately ancestors didn’t even imagine and among Anash, to waste money on it just in order to outdo the others like this that you don’t neighbor, and the more vacuous the neighbor, the more the Evil mention (wasting Jewish money in Inclination drags him into greater debt, just so that he shows that general, and especially on matters “he is also vacuous and even more so, and therefore this void needs that are undesirable even if they to filled with the “honor of grandparents etc.” were free. Furthermore, the entire direction is, heaven have mercy, to make the important thing wedding is for people to talk about demonstrate to another that you secondary and the undesirable at it, or for the wedding video to be had nicer flowers at your wedding all into something important. made in the most professional than the other and so on, but that And thus, am I obligated to be manner possible, when you provide chassan and kalla gave much part of the ceremony which will be for the young couple the benefit is tz’daka before their wedding.... immortalized afterward in an far more worthwhile. The couple The Rebbe also spoke very album only for the gossipers, actually enjoys the money and their negatively about photography at whose cost is a sum that is enough lives together start off on the right weddings. During the period that to support a large class in Morocco foot both because of the peace of the Rebbe was the officiating rabbi for six months and more. mind due to financial security and at weddings, he did not allow more The mashpia, R’ Pinye Korf because of the accessories that than two or three pictures at the related that when he had yechidus accompany them and serve them chuppa. R’ Mordechai Zajac related: before his wedding and he invited well for years to come. A wedding is “When I had yechidus before my the Rebbe to be mesader kiddushin over in five hours! wedding, I asked that the Rebbe be (at that time the Rebbe had already the mesader kiddushin. The Rebbe stopped being mesader kiddushin), IT CAN SUPPORT A said yes but then immediately added: the Rebbe expressed his SCHOOL IN MOROCCO! On condition that you don’t take dissatisfaction with the presence of a more than three pictures, and two photographer at a wedding and he The Rebbe addressed three issues would be better. I had someone take said the money could support an related to wedding preparations in movies of the wedding (because the entire school in Morocco. very specific terms. On the subject photographer’s flash bulbs disturbed R’ Korf decided that he wouldn’t of spending money on flowers: the Rebbe during the chuppa but the have a photographer at the wedding There is absolutely no sense at video camera did not) and when the and he sent the money to Chabad all in squandering money on Rebbe came out for the chuppa he schools in Morocco. wedding expenses. Would only that noticed this and he smiled.” you merit to demonstrate to other The Rebbe said: young men of Anash that a Like flowers and pictures, LET OTHERS Chassidishe wedding consists of especially lately, they don’t suffice TAKE CARE OF IT expansiveness - true expansiveness with black and white photos but The third point the Rebbe spoke - regarding all spiritual matters. need colored pictures, heaven have about in detail is the chassan and Jewish money is dear in that it mercy … kalla’s involvement in the material should be utilized, not to As for his thinking that he preparations for the wedding. In a

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number of places the Rebbe encourages the chassan and kalla to use the time until the wedding to store away more and more spiritual treasures that will serve them in building their new home. The Rebbe calls this time “precious beyond precious.” In a sicha (apparently to chassanim) of 20 Av, 5714/1954, the Rebbe spoke explicitly about involvement in material wedding preparations: At a time like this, why should he think about and tumel zich (get caught up) in all these external matters, or even in matters concerning an apartment, which is The wedding of Herschel Chitrik with the Karasik family. Rabbi Eliezer Karasik something that affects a person is on the right with Rabbi Yehuda Chitrik even more than food and clothing. At this time it is worthwhile learning Torah, doing mitzvos everything will be done properly … increasing in t’shuva so all your b’hiddur, involvement in t’filla and sins are forgiven … *** t’shuva, and genuine t’shuva. All that was said was not meant To conclude with what the Rebbe … All this pertains to the as a joke or a speech but literally, said in yechidus to a Chassid: parents … [who are obligated to be and intended in actual fact. Since a I hope that at least by Anash involved in making a wedding] but number of chassanim are present who listen to me, this will be as for the chassan and kalla and others who will become accepted in a receptive manner, and themselves, it is demanded of them chassanim within a few weeks - as the Alter Rebbe said (at the end that they should not be at all they need to know that they should of the introduction to ) “and immersed in trivial matters since not confuse themselves with all to those who listen it will be these can be done by others. these things. All the work for these pleasant and will come upon them When it is necessary to take a matters should be done by others the blessing of good.” fitting, it is necessary to measure it while the chassan and kalla ought Note: It is not the intention of the on the chassan … but even then he to be occupied not with that which article to “pasken” but to bring things should not be immersed in it is secondary but with the main to the readers’ attention. Regarding (especially when in any case he thing. color photos and the expression cannot see on himself how the And the main thing is that the “heaven have mercy” - it should be garment looks) although the fitting wedding be in a good and noted that in certain places that needs to be done on his body. But successful time and that it be an expression was deleted (and in other matters, especially being everlasting edifice and ensuring reintroduced in the Toras Menachem immersed in them - there is this cannot be done through series) and perhaps this was by the certainly no place for this. What’s “pictures” and the like but through Rebbe’s instruction. needed is trust in Hashem that Raskin's Consistently “if it grows we have it” Superior Fruit and Produce Emporium WHOLESALE & RETAIL Michal & We Deliver 335 Kingston Ave. Brooklyn NY 11213 * Tel: (718) 756-3888 756-2221 * Fax: 756-2440

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memoirs FROM PRAGUE TO BELGIUM

By Rabbi Schneur Zalman Chanin Translated by Menachem Har Zvi

first Shabbos in Prague) and the Additional material from the archives identity of Rabbi Greifel (whom I of R’ reveals more of wrote about in a previous chapter), and he wonders whether he can rely his all-encompassing activities on his on them and speak with them openly on the telephone. mission for the Rebbe Rayatz. In the At the conclusion of the letter R’ Itche requests that Rabbi Jacobson following chapter are the fascinating ask his first cousin, S. Dingal from Ragachov (a writer for the Yiddish letters of R’ Yehuda Chitrik and R’ paper Der Tag) why he does not Chaim Chaikin relating to the mission respond. B”H placed upon them by the Rebbe Rayatz. Sunday, the day after Yom Kippur 5707 May G-d command a blessing time he attempted to cross the IS HE ONE OF OURS? wherever you turn, His Honor, my border with a small group of R’ Yitzchok Goldin relates that honored Chassidim. However, he was caught the Chassid R’ Bentzion Shemtov and esteemed friend HaRav by the Soviets and sentenced as a and the Chassid R’ Mendel Futerfas, HaChassid HaTamim R’ Yisroel traitor and spent eight years who were on the other side of the Today I received your letter imprisoned in Siberian labor Iron Curtain, were committed to from 12 Elul, Sunday of Parshas Camps. He waited for nineteen remain there until the last Chassid Tavo [written by Rabbi Jacobson years until 1963, when he received crossed over the border safely. while still in Europe]. You are permission to leave the country. In the end R’ Bentzion Shemtov greatly surprised. (Please forgive In the letter R’ Yitzchok Goldin escaped at the final moment and me) that I write about deficiencies specifies the names of many evaded the NKVD, who were in your laborious great work. Do Chassidim that are “there,” and he waiting to devour their prey. R’ you remember your first and requests that blessings be requested Bentzion traveled with the last second letter, that the main thing from the Rebbe on their behalf. He group of anash. R’ Mendel Futerfas is that we remain in constant inquires regarding the character of succeeded in sending his wife and contact – Lodz, the city of the Rabbi Rappaport (as mentioned children across the border while he Maharal [Prague], and R’ S.Z. previously, Rabbi Jacobson stayed at remained behind. At a later point in [Rabbi Schneur Zalman Rabbi Rappaport’s home during his

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Schneerson – Paris]? This was in order that we know the precise number each day. After all this you traveled without leaving anyone with whom we can confer when necessary. I sent many letters and telegrams and I did not receive any response. I notified you that I am committed to remain here until I can greet the rest [of anash and T’mimim] from the next page [Russia]. The last time I spoke with you I reported about Chapter 200 [200 people waiting on the other side of the Iron Curtain for papers and funds in order to steal across the border to ]. Blessed is Hashem. Now Chapter 500 [500 people] is there. May G-d have mercy on them. I sent you the lists [of the Chassidim waiting] twice. Apparently you did not receive it the last time. Today I received a response that they were received. You write that we surely received the previous letters and the regards through R’ Yakov Greifel and regarding travel [of R’ Yehuda Chitrik—R’Y. Goldin’s contact in Prague] to Belgium. To all the above I can honestly say we received no news. Regarding the books in general and the books of Friedman in particular this is something new. I do not understand a thing. Regarding your question, if more [anash from Russia] are arriving. I gave all the details (the lists and the sum for the entire time) in writing to our friend R’ Zalman, the grandson of R’ Yazik (R’ Zalman Gurevich] who traveled to R’ S.Z. [R’ Schneur Zalman Schneerson—Paris]. From there he will talk via phone with his cousin Shmuel Zalmanoff and then you will know everything in detail. Bentzion Shemtov and his brother-in-law Mendel will remain there [in Russia] until the last

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leave. I do not know if this is wise. you with eternal good from a that I surely know the route of However, due to matters it is desiring heart all days, materially those who traveled. I am notifying necessary. For the wise a hint will and spiritually. you briefly that I do not know suffice. Yitzchok Goldin anything. The idleness of anash is Give a pidyon nefesh to the At this moment I was informed a big wonder to me. We already Rebbe on my behalf and a by the Tamim Feival Green about agreed to communicate through communal pidyon nefesh on their the family of the Tamim Blatner. letters but in actuality I received behalf. May G-d have mercy upon His mother, brothers, and sisters nothing. This is a wonder of them. R’ Yisroel Noach the were here and received from the wonders. “Great,” R’ S.C. mashpia [R’ hands of gentiles. They already Therefore I request that you Shlomo Chaim Kesselman], traveled from here to the Zone and inform me: Saadia Kaladier [Liberov] and now the Tamim Yonsaon must 1) Perhaps you know to which another five hundred are “there” search for them in the zones. city in the Zone they traveled [the [in Russia]. As of now we do not The above-signed above-mentioned group]. know anything about the mother 2) Their address. Also perhaps and sisters of the Tamim Yonason WHERE DID CHITRIK AND you know the address of those who Blatner. We will attempt to find CHAIKIN DISAPPEAR? traveled without passports, out with the help of G-d. The meaning the first group of Nissan main thing is that you immediately Apparently R’ Yitzchok Goldin [Nemenov, together with my father respond and let me know with was completely confused by the R’ Chaikel Chanin. They traveled whom I can be in contact when departure of Rabbi Chitrik and and crossed the borders with the necessary in the city of the Rabbi Chaikin. He complains about “Bericha,” as related previously. Maharal (Prague, because R’ Y. the disrupted communication, and The members of the Bericha took Chitrik already left). he is concerned how the work will all the passports and provided Who is Rabbi Rappaport? How continue and how the members of their own documents.] The second does he breathe? Is he one of us the network will coordinate the next group [which arrived from Poland or not? Also Greifel his character? steps. The next letter is a response and traveled on.] [See the chapter titled “A Long to Mr. Grinke Slavin, one of the 3) Where and why did Yude Story on a Short Note” in an T’mimim in Prague, who apparently [Chitrik] and Chaim [Chaikin] earlier issue of Beis Moshiach.] I inquired about the last group that and their families travel through must know if I can speak with crossed the border. R’ Itche does Paris? Is there a specific purpose them on the telephone. not know where they were or which related to this? Also, did you meet with route they took. Mr. Slavin also 4) Immediately write to me the Ellenson? He spoke with me on requests to be informed of the address of Binyomin Gorodetzky the telephone. In the past he was a location of R’ Yehuda Chitrik and R’ and R’ Zalman Schneerson. Where member of anash, and now he is Chaim Chaikin and why they did Michel Paricher [Pierkarski], part of Mizrachi. In general I have suddenly traveled. (My thanks to R’ Moshe Neimark, and Yakov seen certain things about him. He Sholom Dovber Friedland, who gave Lipsker travel? talks but does not do, decrees and me this letter from the archive of his Regarding your question about doesn’t fulfill. grandfather the Chassid R’ Shalom my friend and acquaintance Fishel Rabbi Shpalter [the Rabbi of Mendel Kalmanson of Paris.) Dimchovsky [his mother was the Sanik] already traveled to the next B”H sister of the Rogatchover Gaon page [left Russia]. I know him. He Sunday after Yom Kippur (11 and his father was a shochet in is a sincere and very honorable Tishrei) 5707 Minsk] Tzvi, Par, [R’ Eliyahu person. His Honor My Friend Grinke Paricher Levin. His son was the If it is not too difficult for you, Slavin Chassid R’ Eliyahu]. They were all please speak with my cousin on Yesterday evening I received together there [in Russia] where a the phone and ask him why he your letter and I am quickly total of 500 remain. May G-d have does not write to me. I wrote to responding to you. Even though mercy upon them. I have given him twice, and I did not receive a our friend Mr. Gurevich [R’ over everything in detail to Mr. [R’ response. His name is S. Dingal Zalman Gurevich the grandson of Zalman] Gurevich. I will not from Ragachov, and he is a writer R’ Yazik] is with you and I sent travel from here until I greet them for the newspaper Der Tag. everything with him in detail, I [all of anash] due to the urgency I remain your friend, blessing will write you a little. You write of the matter. For the wise a hint

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will suffice. And now my dear friend, I request that you immediately meet with R’ Yakov Greifel and Mendel Meisels [son-in-law of the Chassid R’ Meir Simcha Chein of Nevel] and notify what to do with R’ A.E. [R’ Avrohom Eliya] the brother of Mendel Meisels. Convey to R’ Greifel that Rabbi Landinsky did nothing and Landau also did nothing. [They were both from the Agudah and from the Vaad Hatzalah of B’nei Torah.] It is unhealthy for him [R’ A. E. Meisels] to be here [in Poland] . . . . Therefore, you shall help him with the greatest speed. Just immediately let me know which telephone number to call if I of Rabbi Jacobson and his return notify me of your arrival home, desire to communicate without trip to the United States, and he how the trip went, and of the intermediaries. mentions their conversation prior to Rebbe’s well-being, as we agreed Regards to Rabbi Rappaport his departure of two weeks earlier. prior to your departure. Did you and R’ Yakov Greifel. I bless them However, Rabbi Gorodetzky began ask the Rebbe what we spoke with a sweet year in all details and to suspect that Rabbi Jacobson about? Did you forget? when it’s sweet it’s good. forgot to ask the Rebbe his request, I have no news. Thank G-d, I With feelings of esteem, since he did not receive a response. received a visa. However, they are Yitzchok Goldin R’ Binyomin relates that he not giving for my family, stating Please notify if you have news received a visa to the United States, that they are waiting for a from Munich. but his family did not and he does response from Moscow. They say While writing this letter I not know what to do. He alludes to that I should travel and they [the received a telegram from Hillel R’ Yehuda Chitrik and R’ Chaim family] will follow. I do not know Pewzner, inquiring about Sholom Chaikin without mentioning their [what to do]. G-d will help. Dovber Chein. I request that you names. He relates that he found I found a person for those who look for him and let him know someone to arrange their visas to arrived from Prague [Rabbi that he is gravely ill [he was Belgium, and he hopes that they will Chitrik and Rabbi Chaikin], and arrested by the Soviet authorities be ready tomorrow. As Rabbi he is extending efforts on their while crossing the border]. May Jacobson had left a sum of money behalf. Tomorrow, G-d willing, G-d have mercy on him. Also with R’ Binyomin for anash, R’ they will surely have the visas for immediately let me know where he Yehuda and R’ Chaim requested two Belgium. They request two [Hillel Pewzner] came from and hundred dollars from this fund hundred on your account, stating which anash he saw. I hope to because they did not receive any that they did not receive from Tzvi receive news from there [Russia] money from Heshel Raisman. Raisman . . . . I found someone one of these days through a special Consequently R’ Binyomin asks willing to give. However, I do not messenger. what he should do. know what to do. I spent very little B’ezras Hashem of the funds you left me. They are DID YOU FORGET? Monday 12 Tishrei 5707 considering whether to travel or His Honor My Dear Friend, not. The next letter was written on Highly Esteemed HaRav HaGaon I conclude with peace from the the 12th of Tishrei by R’ Binyomin HaChassid, master of peace your soul mate, Gorodetzky while the Chaikin family Many Accomplishments, etc. seeking your peace. and his uncle R’ Eliayhu Shmuel Moreinu HaRav Yisroel Jacobson Your friend honoring you as Kahanov stayed at his home. In the Greetings and eternal good. befitting, letter, he inquires about the welfare I am surprised that you did not Binyomin Gorodetzky

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stories STORIES FROM THE KINUS HA’SHLUCHIM

asked me to put on t’fillin, you As the shluchim gather at wanted your Gan Eden. When he (and he pointed at me) stands here, and workshops at the Kinus he wants (cares about) my Gan HaShluchim, there is a no better time to Eden.” pick up dozens of little stories about the THANK YOU Rebbe and shlichus. Beis Moshiach staff FOR THE BRACHOS Shliach R’ Aharon Eliezer circulated among the shluchim and Tzeitlin, director of Ganei Chabad in Tzfas, related: share their findings with you. The administration of our schools had a nice custom: every MY GAN EDEN passed by to put on t’fillin. The time we wrote a report to the Rebbe about what was happening AND YOURS man didn’t even look at him but just kept walking. For a second I at the mosdos (institutions), we Shliach in Antwerp, R’ Shabtai thought that I wouldn’t call out to would add blessings and good Slavaticki, related: the man since I had just seen him wishes at the end for the Rebbe When I was in Eretz Yisroel, I ignore the other person, but to my and then we would all sign it. stood one Friday at a t’fillin stand great surprise, he came right over One time, when they prepared in the Central Bus Station in Tel to me, rolled up his sleeve and the report, everybody signed the Aviv and asked people to stop for a asked to put on t’fillin. letter as usual, but we realized only moment and put on t’fillin. A man When he was finished, the afterwards that we hadn’t actually came by who was religious but not Litvishe guy came over and said, written the brachos. I was going to a Chassid. He had a trimmed beard “Excuse me for asking, but could travel to the Rebbe and present the and he wore modern dress. To my you tell me why when I asked you report and I wasn’t sure whether I surprise, he too opened a t’fillin to put on t’fillin, you weren’t should add the bracha after the stand – my competition! I didn’t interested, but you willingly came letter had been signed. After giving say a word to him. Why should I over here?” it a lot of thought I decided to add care? Let more Jews put on t’fillin! The man replied, “When you the brachos, reasoning that the He asked the first person who Rebbe knows everything in any

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EXPLICIT BRACHA saw a large picture of the Rebbe. I R’ Menachem Mendel Wilhelm, asked the groom why a picture of who does outreach among the Rebbe was hanging there and employees of Egged, had this to he said: Ever since you brought it say: to me, I hang it up at every event I For a long time I did outreach hold. in Egged and every month I wrote a report to the Rebbe. For two THE ADDITIONAL years I would send reports but I LETTER never received a response. Lag Shliach in Rechovot, Rabbi B’Omer of that year I arranged a Elimelech Shachar relates: parade for all the employees’ One year I had yechidus with children and their parents. Over my wife and my oldest child. I 5000 kids participated and their brought along many letters that parents came too. Thanks to this were sent by people in Rechovot. I project I was in debt for over figured I wouldn’t bother the 45,000 shekels. Rebbe and would submit the pile of A few days later I wrote a report letters to the secretaries before the to the Rebbe and asked for a yechidus. bracha that my debts be covered. I As we stood on line before also dared to write that I requested going in for yechidus, my son saw an answer from the Rebbe since I case, and so the Rebbe would know people working on their panim and had not received a single answer in he asked what they were writing. I about the error. I then submitted two years. the report and brachos. explained that they were writing to Not long afterwards, I received the Rebbe and asking for brachos. As usual, we received a response a reply which said that all the from the Rebbe but this time the He decided that he also wanted to letters that had been sent write to the Rebbe. He asked Rebbe added, “P.S. thank you for throughout the past two years had the brachos etc.” someone for a paper and pen and given much nachas – and the wrote something and then put the Rebbe made three lines under the letter into his pocket. THE RIGHT PLACE word “much” – and the Rebbe gave When we entered the Rebbe’s A shliach from Chicago told this me a bracha regarding my debts. room, the Rebbe received us story at a farbrengen: A while later I was talking to graciously and thanked us for all One Shabbos, in the middle of someone who greatly admired the the letters and showered us with the Friday night meal, we heard work I do and when I told him how brachos. Then he held out his hand knocking at the door. When we much I owed after the parade, he and asked for the p”n. I said I had opened the door we saw the child immediately took out his submitted them all to the of a Jewish neighbor who lives near checkbook and wrote me a check secretaries but the Rebbe’s hand us. We had no relationship with the for 45,000 shekels, just like that. remained suspended in the air. I neighbor herself, since she wanted felt very uncomfortable but didn’t to keep her distance from us, but THE IMPACT know what to do. Then my son her son occasionally came to OF A PICTURE reached into his pocket for the programs we did. R’ Wilhelm continued: letter he had just written and gave I wondered why he was at my In Tishrei of 5760, I was it to the Rebbe. The Rebbe looked door and asked him. He said that instrumental in arranging kosher pleased and he held it with both his mother wanted to go shopping sukkos for 70 Egged members and hands and read it with great and intended to take him with her I gave each one a big, beautiful pleasure. but since he had recently heard that picture of the Rebbe for the sukka. you are not allowed to travel on A few weeks later I went to A MIRACLE Shabbos, he refused to go. She arrange a chuppa for one of the tried to convince him, but failed. More from R’ Shachar: members and to my great surprise, One of the people appointed to Annoyed, she said, “Then go to the as soon as I walked into the hall I rabbi’s house!” So he did! the treasury department of the

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question?’ He persisted, ‘Tell me Occasionally we dared to attend the yes or no.’ I responded with a clear Rebbe’s farbrengens but since we yes, and he pressed the intercom button that connected his room couldn’t openly attend them, we stayed with the Rebbe’s and said, ‘He is here and he is ready.’ in the broadcasting room, which was “I was privileged to be sent on shlichus to Morocco, where I am near the Rebbe’s platform, and we till this day (5760).” listened from there. A REQUEST FULFILLED municipality of Rechovot, who is Chassidus with R’ . Rabbi Nitzan Simchon, shliach also deputy mayor of the city, was Since, where we came from, in Gilo in Yerushalayim, relates: somewhat interested in our work learning Tanya was forbidden, we One of the women who and occasionally helped us. had to attend these shiurim regularly attended shiurim and One morning, his daughter secretly. farbrengens at the Chabad house could not get out of bed – she was Occasionally we dared to attend was experiencing financial suddenly and inexplicably the Rebbe’s farbrengens but since difficulties. When Yom Tov was paralyzed! He called for an we couldn’t openly attend them, we approaching she did not have ambulance and she was taken to stayed in the broadcasting room, money for the expenses that arose, Kaplan hospital in Rechovot for which was near the Rebbe’s but she did not feel comfortable tests. “It’s a paralysis and there is platform, and we listened from telling anyone or asking for help at nothing that can be done,” the there. the Chabad house. doctors said, and they sent her We received many kiruvim from She decided to write to the home. the Rebbe. One time, the Rebbe Rebbe, as she had heard many A few months later, the father gave out dollars after the miracle stories from mekuravim of was walking down the street in Tel farbrengen and he gave some ours. She pictured the Rebbe in her Aviv and came across Lubavitcher dollars to R’ Leibel Groner to give mind and asked him to send her Chassidim at a t’fillin stand. He put to us. money for Yom Tov. She promised on t’fillin and then poured out his that if the Rebbe helped her she heart to one of them about his A CLEAR ANSWER would make a donation to the daughter. The Chassid told him to “Speaking of the utter bittul of Chabad house. write to the Rebbe and ask for a the shliach to the meshaleiach,” A day or two later, a friend of bracha and also gave him a booklet said shliach R’ Leibel Raskin (a”h) hers from abroad arrived in Eretz of the Rebbe’s sichos and told him of Morocco, “I will tell you Yisroel and brought her a nice sum to put it under her pillow. something that happened in 5720. of money. She considered this a The man did so and the next “I had gotten engaged and I response from the Rebbe and true morning the girl got out of bed as sent a note into the Rebbe and to her promise, she contributed though nothing had happened. The informing him and asking to go on towards the next farbrengen we surprise, shock and joy were shlichus wherever the Rebbe would held. Since then, she attends every enormous. The father rushed over send me. Then one day, I was told farbrengen we have. She removed to the Chabad house to tell about that R’ Chadakov was urgently her children from public school and the miracle that had happened looking for me. I hurried over to put them into Chabad schools. thanks to the booklet of sichos. his office and he asked me whether I wanted to go on shlichus. I DESPITE THE REMEMBERING THOSE unhesitatingly said, ‘What’s the DOCTORS’ OPINION BEHIND THE MECHITZA question, when we always learned R’ Simchon also related: Rabbi Zalman Leib Markowitz , that we need to do everything with Before I go to the Rebbe I tell principal in Morristown, related: kabbalas ol?’ everybody I know that I am going I became interested in Chabad “R’ Chadakov did not accept and encourage them to write to the Chassidus together with R’ Mendel this answer and asked whether I Rebbe and ask for a bracha. Vechter’s group and we all learned was ready to go or not. I answered, One year ago, before my trip, I ‘Of course I agree, what’s the

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went to one of the Chabad Rebbe did not emerge. They p’nimius way. At some point he preschools in the neighborhood wondered whether the Rebbe had glanced at the clock and and told the teacher, who was a left and they hadn’t noticed. At immediately got up and left. People mekureves of the Chabad house, 11:00 they decided to split up: two were surprised and they urged him that I was going to the Rebbe and bachurim went in the direction of to stay and continue farbrenging, suggested that she write for a the Rebbe’s house on President but he refused. bracha. She was happy to do so Street while the others stayed near It was 11:32 when the door and besides writing for herself, she the Rebbe’s room. opened and my father walked into asked for a bracha for her friend As the two bachurim the house. Upon looking at the who had been childless for many approached the house, they saw clock, he burst into tears. I years. The woman had gone to Rebbetzin Chana and Rebbetzin worriedly asked him why he was doctors but after repeatedly being Chaya Mushka standing near the crying and he told me that in tested, they all said she could not doorway and they realized that the 5712/1952, when he was a bachur give birth. Rebbe had not yet arrived. As soon learning in 770, the Rebbe once I took her letter and read it in as they turned around they heard came to the small zal in the middle the Rebbe’s room and asked for a the Rebbetzin calling them. They of the night and shut the light and bracha. A few months later I met went over to her and she asked then shut the light in the room next the teacher again and she told me whether the Rebbe was door. the good news that the woman was farbrenging. They said he was not The bachurim hadn’t noticed expecting. It is an open miracle. farbrenging and he was still in his who was shutting the lights and room. They returned to 770 and they turned them back on. The YASHAR KO’ACH! continued to wait. Rebbe saw that the light was back The Rebbe’s door soon opened on and he entered the small zal and R’ Meir Harlig related: and the Rebbe came out. As asked, “Why are the Tmimim In the early years there were always, he wished the bachurim awake at this hour when there is some bachurim who waited to “gut Shabbos” and then he said, Chassidus to learn tomorrow make Kiddush on Friday night until “Thank you for letting them know morning? Bachurim need to say the Rebbe came out of his room at home so they wouldn’t worry.” the bedtime Shma at 11:00 and go and went home. Only after the to sleep at 11:30.” Rebbe left his room, said “gut My father explained, “Since Shabbos” to them and left, did they WHEN IS BEDTIME? then, I always go to sleep before make Kiddush and eat the Shabbos R’ MM Wilhelm related: 11:30, but today I was later than meal. In 5758, my father a”h held a the time the Rebbe said and that’s The Rebbe would usually leave farbrengen in the Chabad shul in why I’m crying.” at 10:00. One Shabbos, the Yerushalayim. He drank mashke bachurim were waiting but the and farbrenged in a particularly

[Continued from pg. 43] raised for public debate, we must merely intensified more and more, to made by the left-wing, e.g., if we demand that the Government of the point that today the United make concessions, they’ll love us; if Israel try the approach proposed by States is not embarrassed to forbid we give in to the Americans, they’ll the Rebbe, to explain logically how construction in Yerushalayim’s make no further demands – sound this method is antithetical to Ramot neighborhood (!) and no one totally preposterous today, and yet, a American values. finds this strange any longer. right wing government remains blind In recent years, all other methods The only path that has yet to be to the fact. have been attempted on the subject tried is the simple and logical path of relations with America and the suggested by the Rebbe for saving rest of the world. Israel withdrew the diplomacy on the American- THE DEMAND FOR A from the Arab cities in Yesha, Israeli front. Now, when the process CHANGE IN APPROACH uprooted Gush Katif, removed the of “delegitimizing” Israel in the eyes Specifically in light of the fact security barriers in Yehuda and of the world has reached a new low, that the question of Israel’s Shomron, and widened the outposts. there can be nothing more logical legitimacy in the world is being But nothing has helped its standing than trying another way. and the American demands have

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shleimus ha’aretz

received in exchange for the eviction from Gush Katif: a document of CROSSROADS: “understanding” from then- President of the United States George W. Bush, who promised to preserve the “settlement blocs” in Yehuda and Shomron. How ANOTHER pathetically ridiculous! There was a time when this call issued only Knesset backbenchers, but today those who support appeasing the Americans “at any FORM OF cost” have become the centrist mainstream of Israeli politics. They say that we have to lower our heads, virtually without limitation, in order to preserve relations between the DIPLOMACY State of Israel and the United States. Not many people know, however, that when the Israeli policymakers were discussing in recent months By Sholom Ber Crombie whether to renew or halt the Translated by Michoel Leib Dobry settlement freeze, they also referred to a general freeze in Yerushalayim, including the Ramot neighborhood, There’s only one leader who has for example, one of the largest in Yerushalayim, and one which no one proposed another approach – and who questions is an inseparable part of even specified in detail on how to the city. This fact received only minimal implement it. This, of course, is the coverage in the state-run Israeli media, which primarily emphasized leader of the generation – the Rebbe, that “if Israel does not respond to the American demands, there will be Melech HaMoshiach – who blueprinted another crisis”, while neglecting to tell the public exactly what those a clear way for preserving diplomatic “American demands” are. relations with the United States, WE HAVE ANOTHER WAY without making any concessions on As always, the problem with the standing by our principles. political right-wing is that it doesn’t present an alternative. The left-wing customarily says it Americans and the Europeans is the The left-wing constantly waves wants to see the Jewish settlement in greatest asset possessed by the State the finger that the United States Yehuda, Shomron (and even Gaza, of Israel, an asset for which we must raises in our favor during fateful of blessed memory) remain forever do almost anything. The left-wing votes before the United Nations. in its place. But, it adds, we have never said, however, what the red They explain to the public that if we constraints. First it’s “peace” or lines are, i.e., what we will not be continue the construction, we will security, then it’s the demographic prepared to do to maintain the lose this support. We hear similar problem, and now it’s the nature of current level of our relations with explanations in connection with the relations with the United States. the United States. loans and other forms of foreign aid In the opinion of the left-wing Many politicians expressed pride that we receive from the Americans, leaders, the connection with the over the great “compensation” we which no one denies is extremely

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vital to Israel’s security. In contrast, the right-wing stands Once we start making concessions, even bewildered, as it avoids dealing with on some trifle, it becomes difficult later the question of how to maintain the connection with the United States to find the point where we will be without yielding to terrorism. As on many other issues, the right-wing unwilling to compromise. always explains what not to do, but not what we should do. which is contrary to its life and put the facts on the table from the There’s only one leader who has existence.” rostrum before the United Nations, proposed another approach – and When Mr. Rubenstein explained and then afterwards at a meeting who even specified in detail on how to the Rebbe that “these are not easy with the European foreign to implement it. This, of course, is times”, the Rebbe replied: “But the secretaries. “The Palestinians don’t the leader of the generation – the solution to the political situation is want peace, and therefore, there will Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach – who the opposite of what they have done be no peace here in the coming blueprinted a clear way for until now, for until now they have years,” he said at the speakers’ preserving diplomatic relations with held the position that concessions rostrum at the UN, and to his the United States, without making must be made, and not just on European counterparts, he added, any concessions on standing by our something trivial, but on matters of “There are more problematic principles. principle for which they will receive conflicts in the world. Go deal with The United States of America is something – and this is contrary to them.” a nation of “honor”, the Rebbe the nature of the United States.” While these statements initially explained. They know how to The Rebbe continued to explain aroused criticism, after the storm appreciate someone who stands on to Mr. Rubenstein what can really had calmed, the mayhem was his principles and whose word is his benefit the existing relations with the forgotten and all that was left bond. In contrast, the Rebbe says, by United States. “The United States hanging in the air was the stark lying and degrading yourself, you exists and was founded by standing truth. The only thing required now always lose with the Americans. firm. If something is in its vital is for such statements to be made Thus, it’s not enough merely to interests, it’s impossible to forego it, continually by other officials within continue building right under the and it makes no difference when the Government of Israel, thus Americans’ noses and then try to England yelled against them and giving the world reason to think that explain that this is being done due to France was against them, and as it perhaps there’s more than one internal Israeli political reasons. We was when the whole world was method in the overall approach than must proudly tell them about our against the United States. Because simply bowing to the terrorists. clear limits and we must calmly but they have held this position, they The Rebbe explained that this is firmly stand behind them. In this have succeeded and succeed to this what will happen if we conduct fashion, America will appreciate us very day.” ourselves properly on the more and respect our demands. For some reason, the right-wing policymaking front. At first, the * has never used this argument. It has, Americans might get annoyed, but instead, learned to claim that “the after a while, they will accept the The Rebbe repeated this motto relations with the United States are Israeli positions, if they see that the time after time before Israeli important, but we have our Government of Israel is standing policymakers and strategists. principles”, as if standing on firm. However, once we start As the Rebbe said to Mr. Elyakim principle is a contradiction to making concessions, even on some Rubenstein, then-advisor to then- maintaining relations with the trifle, it becomes difficult later to Prime Minister Yitzchak Shamir, Americans. Nothing could be further find the point where we will be “To achieve something in the United from the truth. unwilling to compromise. States, you have to stand firm and The Rebbe’s words require no prove that you have no intention of further proofs today. The situation giving in.” The Rebbe continued to WHAT LIEBERMAN on the diplomatic scene is hard and explain: “It’s not in order to anger HAS PROVEN confusing enough for the Israeli them, but because there’s no other If we needed any proof on this government. All the claims once way. It’s impossible to demand that matter, we received it from Foreign Eretz Yisroel should do something Minister Avigdor Lieberman, who [Continued on pg. 41]

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*** Here’s another story from Tirat HaCarmel: DOING A FAVOR Six years ago an older woman went to the Chabad house, gave a pidyon nefesh and asked for a bracha for Rosh HaShana. “This is my daughter,” she said, introducing FOR A JEW her, “and we want a bracha that she finally marries.” A year later the two women came back on Erev Rosh HaShana. “She’s By Rabbi Yaakov Shmuelevitz married,” said the mother, “and we Shliach, Beit Shaan want a bracha for a child.” A year went by and they came back with a baby. And that’s how it R’ Shmuel Beckerman, shliach in some of them volunteered the goes every year. They come, thank Beer Yaakov, told me that hanging following stories. the Rebbe for the brachos that were prominently on his Chabad house R’ Yechezkel Markowitz, shliach fulfilled, and ask for what they need. wall is the Chassidic aphorism from in Tirat HaCarmel, is busy day and They came back when the child the : “Love a fellow Jew night - like all shluchim - helping the was three in order to cut his hair in and G-d will love you; do a kindness needy, materially and spiritually. He the Chabad house and said, “Our for a fellow Jew and G-d will do a gets many visitors at the Chabad entire family is here because of the kindness for you; draw close a fellow house before the Yomim Nora’im. Rebbe.” Jew and G-d will draw you close.” They come in droves to write a When I asked him why he picked pidyon nefesh to the Rebbe before this particular saying, he thought Rosh HaShana and to give money ONE GOOD DEED and then said, “It’s important to us for pidyon Kaparos (redeeming the DRAWS ANOTHER that every Jew who walks in to the traditional Kaparos with money) R’ Nesanel Dreyfus, shliach in Chabad house feel at home and before Yom Kippur. Netanya, tells of someone who did a know what the purpose of this place So that it will be comfortable for small favor for the Chabad house is: to love a Jew, to do him a favor, everyone, they opened a long table, and in exchange - and unexpectedly and to be mekarev him to Hashem, the length of the shul, and whoever - he received a favor in return that His Torah, to the Rebbe and comes sits down and writes all his affected his entire life and the life of Chassidus.” requests for the new year. his children. Indeed, the residents of Beer One year, Erev Yom Kippur, a It happened 16 years ago when Yaakov visit the Chabad house rather financially-strapped individual R’ Dreyfus went to raise money in whenever they need help, not only came in. He went over to R’ France. Being French himself, he with checking t’fillin and kashering a Markowitz and asked in a low voice can speak to the Frenchmen in their kitchen but with any and all how much a kippa costs. R’ own language and he is successful in important questions. Markowitz told him 10 shekels. raising money for Chabad mosdos in “That much?” he asked. “If so, then Netanya. A KIPPA AND A KAPARA here are 10 shekels for pidyon One day he was in the business Kaparos.” In preparing to write this article I district of Lyons and went to a shirt R’ Markowitz didn’t understand. called many shluchim. I was sure store owned by a local Jew. He was “You asked me how much a kippa that all I needed to do was ask them told that although the store was costs, so why aren’t you buying about helping a fellow Jew and the small and didn’t look elegant, the one?” stories would flow, but it didn’t storeowner owned a huge factory The man answered, “I don’t have work out quite that way. Most of the and made millions and he was enough money for both a kippa and shluchim didn’t understand why I capable of donating a lot of money. Kaparos, and a kappara is more should be writing about such a R’ Dreyfus walked into the store and important to me.” regular daily occurrence. It was only introduced himself. He spoke about Needless to say, R’ Markowitz after much effort and pressure that the mosdos in Netanya and asked gave him a kippa too. for a donation. The storeowner

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listened half-heartedly and gave him with you or against you; am I THANKS TO A YECHI a 50 franc note (worth about $10). connected to the Jewish people or YARMULKA R’ Dreyfus thanked him, though he am I like the rest of the nations?” Sometimes after doing a small added that he needed a bigger They parted warmly, and R’ favor for a Jew, you get to the fruits donation. Dreyfus told him to be in touch the in this world, generations worth of The man was furious. He began next time he comes to Israel. Two goodness and help. That is the story screaming all sorts of nasty things months later the man visited Israel, of R’ Chaim Abuhav, a Chassid who about but R’ Dreyfus calmed and looked up his new friend. R’ lives in the Chabad community in him down and engaged him in a Dreyfus took him to the Kosel and Rechovot. friendly discussion. At a certain to the graves of tzaddikim, and he Chaim was from Lud. He wears point, he asked the man whether in became more and more excited. At a a knitted yarmulka and goes to addition to his French name he had certain point R’ Dreyfus said to him, college. Seven years ago, he met up a Jewish name. The man said his “Promise me that you will only with a childhood friend who came name was Mordechai. marry a Jewish woman.” The man back from South America. The R’ Dreyfus explained that the wouldn’t promise but he did part friend became close to Chabad there only person in Tanach called “the ways with the non-Jewish woman and he occasionally learned Tanya, Jew” was “Mordechai the Jew.” The and a year later, R’ Dreyfus received sichos of the Rebbe, or Chassidishe man was excited about this and he an invitation in the mail to the man’s stories with Chaim. At a certain said, “You’ve just given me a mental wedding to a Jewess in a proper point Chaim was drafted and he shock. You should know that for the Jewish wedding. went to say goodbye to his past two months I have been Over the years, the man Chabadnik friend. The friend gave struggling with an internal battle. I established a fine Jewish home and him a black yarmulka with Yechi on met a non-Jewish woman and want he is religious. Some of his it. Chaim didn’t exactly “go for it” to marry her but I know that by grandchildren learn in Chabad and so he always had another extra doing so, I would be cutting myself schools. And he often sends nice yarmulka in his bag. To be polite, he off from the Jewish people. There is donations to the Chabad mosdos of packed the Yechi yarmulka deep in this war waging inside me - am I Netanya.

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his backpack when he went into the whoever enters his office is invited t’fillin. The man told Yankele that he army. to put some coins in the pushka. He wanted t’fillin of his own for years During the first days of training, arranges a weekly shiur for the already but could not afford it. Chaim and all his buddies went on a soldiers, there are farbrengens, and Yankele immediately saw this as an nighttime hike in the Negev. It was a they all get to hear stories about the opportunity to help someone. He winter night, cold and dark. They Rebbe and the Besuras Ha’Geula. went to the Chabad house to find went up and down mountains and Chaim thought of leaving the out who deals with t’fillin and spoke through creek beds. In the middle of army on a number of occasions but with R’ Moshe Rivkin. the long trek they had a break. each letter of the Rebbe he opens to As they spoke, Yankele learned a Chaim took off his helmet for a contains messages about shlichus few new things. He learned that moment and a strong wind blew his without leaving the frontlines, so his there are hand t’fillin and head yarmulka away. He put his helmet shlichus continues to grow. t’fillin and that there are various back on and did not remove it until Just imagine, it all began with a pieces of parchment, straps, tallis the end of the hike. yarmulka that he got as a gift! and tzitzis, a velvet bag, a Siddur When they arrived back at the and more. This item you order at base, he looked for the reserve “YANKELE DOES A FAVOR” that store and that item you need to yarmulka in his bag but to his FROM BEIT SHEMESH select in another store, etc. For a few dismay, only found the Yechi days, Yankele was completely yarmulka and a white bar mitzva R’ Eliezer Weiner, shliach in Beit wrapped up with mivtza t’fillin. yarmulka. Having no choice he put Shemesh, relates: He went to the Chabad house to on the Yechi yarmulka. To his Yankele is a nice man, a retiree pick up the t’fillin. R’ Rivkin knew surprise, he noticed that soldiers from the Bezek company. He has a Yankele for a long time and knew were coming over to him one after long ponytail and everybody knows that he wasn’t one of the regulars the other and asking him questions him. Yankele’s hobby has always who put on t’fillin, but this was a about Judaism: What’s this week’s been to help the needy. He’s golden opportunity. He gave the parsha? When is sunset? How long constantly busy helping someone, t’fillin to Yankele and said, “Now do we wait between meat and milk? whether it’s furniture that A doesn’t you put on t’fillin yourself.” When is Shabbos? Etc. need but B does, a little financial Yankele did not refuse. Nor was After a few days he realized that assistance, or boxes of food or that the last time he put on t’fillin. when he wore his knitted kippa, clothing, you’ll always hear him say Since then he has shown up a few nobody approached him, but with how happy he is that he was able to times for t’fillos at the Chabad his new look, suddenly people saw make some Jew happy with a favor, house, not to mention farbrengens him as a resource. A few soldiers small or big. that he never misses. Sometimes he asked him to say a shiur. Then they Religion though, doesn’t play a even “farbrengs” and inspires the organized a farbrengen with him. prominent role in his life. T’fillin? participants with some of his own Minyanim were arranged. In short, No. And shul is not the place you’ll insights. he felt like a shliach. As a natural meet him. Not long ago, Yankele ordered a continuation he began to grow a One day, Yankele discovered that ticket for a trip to the US. R’ Rivkin beard (“It wasn’t comfortable for me the Chabad house also helps the told him he had to include a visit to to walk around wearing a Yechi needy. He and the Chabad house 770. Yankele went and even put on yarmulka without a beard.”) and he became good friends. He goes in t’fillin in 770. When he returned to got more and more Torah questions. and out of the Chabad house, Beit Shemesh he attended a After two weeks Chaim went home sometimes bringing a list of the farbrengen at the Chabad house and on furlough and he got a look at needy and sometimes taking a list. asked to speak. He stood up and as himself in the mirror. He was a bit They collaborate in their good he spoke he was choked up with surprised to see the Lubavitcher deeds. emotion. With tears in his eyes, he looking back at him. They tried a few times to suggest said that the biggest present he got Chaim felt like a Lubavitcher, that he join the davening or put on in his life, that he got from the and he adopted R’ Yaakov Reinitz of t’fillin, but he gently said that he is Chabad house, was his visit to 770 Lud as his mashpia. He married and happy to help the needy but when it and putting on t’fillin in the Rebbe’s his wife encourages him to get more comes to t’fillin and mitzvos, please Dalet amos (presence; lit. four involved in shiurim in the army and leave him alone. cubits). in the Rebbe’s mivtzaim. Today he is One day, Yankele found out that And all he wanted was to do a an officer in command of a base and one of the people he helped wanted favor for another Jew …

46 12 Kislev 5771 BEIS MOSHIACH