Happy Purim!

Non Profit Org. U.S. postage PAID Rochester, NY Permit No. 4237 CHABAD LUBAVITCH ROCHESTER NY THE CHABAD TIMES A Publication of Chabad Lubavitch of Rochester Kessler Family Chabad Center Chabad Of Pittsford Chabad Young Professionals Rohr Chabad House @ U of R Chabad House @ R.I.T. 1037 Winton Rd. S. 21 Lincoln Ave. 18 Buckingham St. 955 Genesee St. 91 York Bay Trail Rochester NY 14618 Pittsford, NY 14534 Rochester, NY 14607 Rochester, NY 14611 West Henrietta NY 14586 585-271-0330 585-385-2097 585-350-6634 585-503-9224 347-546-3860 ww.chabadrochester.com www.jewishpittsford.com www.yjparkave.com www.urchabad.org www.chabadrit.com VOLUME 38 NUMBER 2 ADAR 5781 V”C MARCH 2021 www.chabadrochester.com/purim page 2 The Chabad Times - Rochester NY - Adar 5781 and never get sick of it" is one of those innocuous phrases that upwardly mobile people with enough petty cash to regularly eat the stuff seem to repeatedly declare as they dig into their sixth or seventh piece. I bet they would eat those very words after, say, their twenty-sec- ond piece on the third day of the nothing-but-sushi diet. If one were actually crazy enough to voluntarily con- sume the same meal for the The Final Word rest of their life, my own per- by Yerachmiel Tilles sonal field research has lead me to believe that there is It was with heavy hearts that a group of senior chas- nothing more fitting for the sidim assembled in the home of their rebbe, Rabbi Zvi- Hell's Kitchen by Matt Brandstein task than the Kosher Delight Elimelech of Dinov, the "Bnei Yissaschar". Their rebbe had snack box. This manna from fallen ill, and it was understood that his moments were By my mid-20s, I had use. Going kosher was cer- heaven, consisting of crispy numbered. They joined his children and grandchildren to effectively become another tainly not the most common fried chicken and french fries, be with him in his closing hours of physical life, and per- one of those unaffiliated Jews task in Hell's Kitchen (the is flavor loaded with enough haps hear some final instruction from their mentor and working deeply within the actual name of my midtown sodium enhancers to leave guide. sitra achra (dark side) of Manhattan neighborhood), the taste buds relentlessly The rebbe's eyes were closed, and a medley of awe and Hollywood, vigilantly dumb- but I wasn't going to let a craving for more. ecstasy played upon his holy face. "Our master is spending ing down civilization with Satan get in the way of On the occasional treif his last minutes in communion with his Maker," they all entertainment goods so taste- claiming my Jewish birth- restaurant outing with family thought; "how selfish of us to assume that he would have less that their mass populari- right... and friends during my something to say to us at this time!" ty was even more alarming kosher-keeping debut, I Suddenly, the rebbe's eyes opened and began to search than their utter lack of con- always seemed to be at mid- the small crowd. Finally his glance rested on a man who tent. A lifelong diet of secular Going kosher in town hotspots within the was standing to one side. The chassidim made way for this fanaticism in addition to the Hell's Kitchen (the ironic proximity of my man, and gently propelled him toward the rebbe's bedside. intellectual contamination actual name of my beloved Kosher Delight. Not from my thankless job had "Reb Shmuel," the chassidim heard the rebbe inquire, ready yet to declare my for- eventually caused such a neighborhood)? "what is it that you wanted to ask?" ward shift into Jewish obser- debilitating case of spiritual I wasn't going to vance, I simply feigned a lack "Rebbe," said the man, whom no one recalled ever hav- attrition that, out of sheer let a Satan get in of interest in eating to the ing seen before, "the wool that I purchased... what shall I desperation, my neshamah curious amusement of my fel- do?" (soul) began a grassroots style the way of low diners. My rapidly protest campaign to take "Don't worry, Reb Shmuel," said Rabbi Tzvi Elimelech. claiming my expanding waistline from down my decadent lifestyle. "Wait until next winter. The price will rise, and you will Jewish birthright... several weeks' worth of tens make a handsome profit." The mantra of a beloved of thousands of snack box Chabad rabbi with whom I A few days later, I gathered calories made even the over- The rebbe's eyes closed. Soon after, his soul departed to had crossed paths months every dish, pot, pan and uten- protective secular Jews in my its heavenly abode. earlier in Times Square took sil in my kitchen, as well as life back off from forcing me In the days that followed, the chassidim hotly debated hold of my thoughts as I bit all of the contents of my cup- to order from the menu. How- the significance of their rebbe's final words. The mysteri- into a crunchy BLT sandwich. boards, fridge and freezer, ever, I did manage to raise a ous "wool merchant" had disappeared as suddenly as he "You are what you eat!" and smashed it all to irrevo- few eyebrows, when, in some had appeared; certainly, he must be one of the thirty-six shrieked his phantom voice as cable bits. Normally, I would of the fancier restaurants, I "hidden tzadikim," or perhaps Elijah the Prophet? Various hot bacon grease scalded my have been a bit more philan- insisted upon drinking my theories were offered on the Kabbalistic meanings of hungry fingers. The snack thropic with their removal sodas from the can. "wool," "winter" and "handsome profit." from my home, but as a was meant to be a quick fix "I have a terrible germ fear. novice to Jewish life, I need- Word of these deliberations reached the ears of Rabbi comfort food for my clichéd Who knows if they are really ed a visceral rite of passage to Tzvi Elimelech's son, Rabbi Dovid. "You are mistaken," he feelings of generation x apa- properly washing those dish- embrace the significance of said. "There is no mystery here, no hidden meaning, only thy, but the words I heard es," I questioned aloud, think- this change, not to mention a profound expression of my saintly father's love for every were an enduring revelation ing it better at that stage to the brief catharsis destruction Jew. that prompted me to reflect sell my mental instability provides. A small part of me deeply on my poor menu than my religious stability to "Reb Shmuel is a simple merchant, who would often also wanted to eliminate the choice. a group that didn't seem too come to seek Father's counsel and blessings regarding his risk of another unaffiliated keen on Jewish observance. business affairs. Recently he had bought a large quantity "I am a Jew... not a pig," I Jew inheriting this full of wool, after which its price told myself through guilty kitchen set of spiritual trou- While riding the D train had dropped sharply; the sobs as I spit my last delicious bles. back home from the Broad- poor man faced the loss of bite of treifness into the way Kosher Delight on an It would have been practi- all his assets, as well as huge garbage, which I then pro- early Friday afternoon, I had cal to send out a general press debts for the sums he had ceeded to throw into the big- my first moment of validation release announcing my new borrowed to make the pur- ger garbage outside on the that I was actually going in dietary restrictions to alert all chase. He rushed here to seek street in the middle of the the right direction with this of my relations, both profes- my father's advice. night just to hammer home dietary switch. It wasn't one sional and personal, with the point. Diet had to be the of those Hollywood style "Upon his arrival, he fol- whom dining was an integral single most practical area to Divine Providence testimoni- lowed the crowd into activity, but instead I just achieve miraculous transfor- al-making moments that I Father's room, unaware of avoided everyone and spent mation, at least according to heard about happening to why we had assembled. most of the first two months the hype. The media messages others, but it was enough of Father, although in his final of going kosher by myself in of life altering results and an impetus for me to contin- moments, sensed the pres- a corner booth on the second vibrant health promoted by ue taking further steps ence of a Jew in need and floor of the now defunct the mega billion dollar weight towards a more Jewish life. considered it his highest pri- loss industries finally made Kosher Delight on Sixth ority to assure him that all I pulled out a little booklet sense to a skinny guy like me. Avenue and 46th Street in would be well." midtown Manhattan. I tend to that had been handed me ear- While climbing up the five be a bit of a neurotic loner lier that day while at my flights back home as a newly anyway, so disappearing into restaurant's counter ordering non-bacon eating Jew, I a world apart from my main- my ten-thousandth snack box prayed that something as stream one didn't set off any to go. I glanced at the book's fundamentally important as alarm bells with those who title, which was neatly print- kosher might provide me with know me well. ed under a gloriously illus- the kind of practical salvation •Continued on page 12 DANIEL PHILLIPS, D.D.S. from the quicksand that had "I can eat sushi every meal been drowning my integrity. My sights turned to my shabby tenement kitchen, A A 1848 DENTISTRY FOR laden with the contraband A Monroe Ave.. AND ingredients and illegal con- Towing Roch., NY ADULTS CHILDREN coctions, all set amidst a thick 14618 layer of residual grime that seemed to cruelly emphasize “Friendly Near 12 4001 EAST HENRIETTA RD. my culinary transgressions. reliable service” 244-1616 Corners Radical research was required Fax 244-5469 HENRIETTA, NY 14467 •585–334–5544 to learn the legal ins and outs • Auto Transmissions • Complete Engine Overhaul of preparing not just me but • General Repairs • NYS Inspection my home for proper Jewish The Chabad Times - Rochester NY - Adar 5781 page 3 Adapted from the works of Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, by Yanki Tauber masquerade, dice & commitment The Lubavitcher Rebbe Purim was instituted because the Jewish people at a throw of dice the time understood that it was G-d Himself who did all Numerous factors con- of the above, to save His peo- tributed to the salvation of ple. He was just disguising the Jewish people from Himself as a Persian palace Haman's decree, not least soap opera. amongst them Mordechai's rousing of the Jews to repen- When G-d took the Jews tance and Esther's efforts on out of Egypt on Passover, the their behalf. Yet the name of entire neighborhood, from the festival - the one word masquerade Giza to Gaza and from chosen to express its essence Memphis to Mesopotamia, - refers to a seemingly minor On Purim, nothing is as it resonated with the miracles detail: the fact that Haman seems. wrought by the G-d of the selected the date of his pro- Hebrews. When a small jug of That ferocious monster is posed annihilation of the oil burned for eight days on really sweet shy Sarah from Jews by casting lots (pur is Chanukah, the most skeptical second grade. That beautiful Persian for "lot"). Obviously, Hellenist saw that it was an Queen Esther with the jewel- the significance of Haman's act of G-d. Purim (“lots”) is studded crown is really your lots lies at the very heart of unique in that the most brother Moishe. Is that a what Purim is all about. miraculous of salvations was how long their estrangement level of reality on which, he gigantic three-cornered shrouded in the garments of Why did Haman cast lots? from G-d will last this time? believed, everything is up for poppy-seed-filled cookie nature, luck and coincidence. Because he was attempting to As long as our plans hinge grabs, as free of any moral walking down the street? And G-d was hidden and remained break what, to his mind, was upon the virtue or iniquity of rules as a throw of dice. how did little Michael grow hidden - His name does not a "vicious cycle" that had Israel, reasoned Haman, we'll What Haman failed to real- that luxuriant white beard? been plaguing him and his ilk just have a repeat of the same ize was that the people of since the appearance of the old scenario. A more basic Israel are G-d's chosen people Jewish nation a thousand approach is called for. Can it - that even on the level of years earlier. Many great and be that G-d really cares about divine "choice," which tran- powerful men, from Pharaoh one people more than anoth- scends all logical criteria, G-d to Nebuchadnezzar - not to er? Can it be that He is truly desires them and protects mention Haman's own ances- pleased by "good" deeds and them. It is true that G-d, in tors, the Amalekites - had angered by "bad" ones? essence, is beyond it all; but tried to destroy this people. Surely G-d is beyond all that. this very G-d chose - for no Granted, the Jews have a There might be a level of real- other reason than that such great and powerful G-d, but ity on which goodness is was His desire - to take the they also have this inane rewarded and evil is pun- people of Israel as His own. Why do we disguise our- habit of angering Him with once appear in the entire ished, but on a higher plane, The Jew always knows this selves on Purim? Because on their transgressions. All one Megillah (Scroll of Esther)! these things are obviously in the deepest part of his soul, Purim nothing is as it seems. needs to do, it would seem, is Purim is a masquerade. meaningless. On that level, a even if his external behavior Was the banishment of Vashti wait for such an opportune Esther (which literally means truly infinite G-d has no con- may, at times, run awry of simply one of those things moment. But always, at the “I shall hide”) is scrolled up. cern with what goes on in the this realization. This, ulti- that happen when a very last minute, the Jews Even the poppy-seed filling is material world, and the prime mately, is the reason why we debauched Persian emperor repent, and time and again barely peeking out of the minister of the mightiest always return to G-d, and gets drunk? Was it just coin- their G-d is reconciled with folds of dough of the haman- empire on earth can do what why G-d always forgives us cidence that Mordechai hap- them and saves them. tash (or is it prune?), not to he chooses to a small, dis- in the end. pened to overhear a plot to mention the wholly concealed Haman knew that the Jews persed minority. kill the king? Did Achash- This, ultimately, is the very meat (chicken?) filling in the had sinned yet again by wor- So Haman cast lots, hoping verosh choose Esther to be his essence of the miracle of kreplach. shipping Nebuchadnezzar's to "connect" to that level of queen because she happened Purim - and the very essence idol and partaking of Achash- reality that transcends the to be the most beautiful Not paradoxically, Purim is of the miracle called "the peo- verosh's feast; but who knows laws of good and evil - to that woman in the empire? Was it also the most joyous festival ple of Israel." plain bad luck for bad Haman on the Jewish calendar. It’s that he happened to come great to celebrate miracles, visit Achashverosh just when but how often does a miracle commitment true, shouldn't it always be issued on 12th of Nissan, a the king was having Morde- come your way? Far more that way? And if it's usually full eleven months before the chai’s heroic deed read to exhilarating is the realization Most of us have experi- not that way, doesn't this victory of Purim), a decree of him? Was it Esther’s charm that nothing is as it seems, enced in the course of our imply that it's not true, or at annihilation hung over every and Achashverosh’s flippancy that G-d is always pulling the lifetime what we like to call least lacking in truth?) single Jew alive on the face of that made the king suddenly strings, even when things "moments of truth." These are Therein lies one of the the earth, as their enemies hang his favorite minister? seem to be “just happening.” times when something very most amazing aspects of the had royal sanction to take deep inside us is challenged, story of Purim. As related in their lives. Yet throughout and we respond in ways that the Book of Esther, even after this period, not a single Jew those who know us - and Haman had fallen out of "broke ranks" to save himself even we ourselves - would favor with the king and was by renouncing his/her Jew- never have thought possible. hanged, the decree he initiat- ishness. In fact, the Megillah We find ourselves capable of ed remained in effect: the relates that so impressive was feats of sacrifice, courage and only thing that Esther was the Jewish stance that many ingenuity greatly exceeding able to achieve was that the non-Jews converted to our "normal" facility. king should issue a second Judaism in this period. Such a As impressive as these decree, in which the Jews display of sustained commit- feats are, they are almost were given the right to resist ment is unparalleled in the always as transient as they those who came to kill them. history of man. are magnificent. It seems that The first decree, calling upon On that first Purim, every Dor L’Dor their very nature dictates that all citizens of the realm to Jewish man, woman and • Judaic Gifts & Books they be moments of truth - annihilate the Jewish minori- child was a hero. More signif- • CD’s & DVD’s flashes, but only flashes, of ty in their midst on the 13th icantly, their's was not a something beyond our actual of Adar, remained in force "moment of truth" heroism, •Religious Items selves. until that date, when the Jews but the awakening of a bond (If we think about it more were victorious in their war to their G-d that no external Alice Palokoff against their enemies, killing threat or internal erosion 83 Warrington Dr. Tel. (585) 461-1521 deeply, the idea of a "moment of truth" is almost an oxy- 75,000 of their attackers. could loosen. It is from this Rochester, NY 14618 Cell (585) 414-8726 moron. Is not the most basic In other words, for nearly a font of commitment and self- [email protected] definition of truth that "this is full year (Haman's decree was sacrifice that we have been the way it is"? If something is drawing ever since.

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SCOTT POSADNY 762 ATLANTIC AVENUE (585) 288-5060 ROCHESTER, NEW YORK 14609 WWW.CHABADROCHESTER .COM page 4 The Chabad Times - Rochester NY - Adar 5781 What Sigmund Freud Knew (But Did Not Understand) About Jews by Yosef Landa Sigmund Freud, the "father that holds the key to under- of psychology," was thor- standing one of the Jewish oughly secular in his pro- People's most puzzling char- fessed beliefs and practices. acteristics. Throughout his writings he expresses a marked disdain, if not outright hostility, towards A Pattern of Discord all religions, including There's the well-worn quip Judaism. "Religion is a uni- about two Jews having three versal obsessional neurosis," opinions, which actually he once wrote, and described holds a great deal of truth. We himself as a "godless Jew" Jews are not in the habit of synagogues ought to look Jewish neshamah, the soul, "godless Jew," understood and "one of the most danger- agreeing with each other ous enemies of religion." like. We also argue about how which the founder of Chabad, this about his Jewishness. about much of anything. to achieve peace for Israel, Rabbi Schneur Zalman (1745- And while he acknowledges You get the picture. Euphemistically we refer to it immigration policy, and what 1812), teaches is the enduring his inability to explain it, he as Jewish diversity, but it In 1930, Freud penned a to do about gun violence, spiritual core of every Jew. readily accepts the existence really seems more like we're growing assimilation and The place of our unvarying of his Jewish essence and preface for the publication of just hard-wired with a pen- a Hebrew translation of one anti-semitism. And we have and indivisible Jewishness, he fully embraces it. Rabbi chant for discord. What's nearly as many prayer litur- writes, is a spark of Divinity Schneur Zalman and the of his works, "Totem and more, it has been this way for Taboo." In it he characteristi- gies as there are Jews... identical within each and Rebbes of Chabad would cally declares himself as every Jew. This is the essence hardly be surprised. I can adopting "no Jewish stand- of our Jewishness, and it imagine them smiling know- point and making no excep- Is Jewish Unity a supersedes and transcends the ingly… tions in favor of Jewry" and Realistic Objective? many differences that sepa- describes himself as having rate us. What is so utterly baffling The Key to Unity abandoned "all common about this phenomenon is It is true that we differ characteristics" of his fellow that at the same time that we about matters of vital impor- Now, returning to the puz- Jewish people. relentlessly squabble with tance. We may be oceans zle of Jewish unity. How can In light of that, what he each other, most of us sin- apart when it comes to the there possibly be Jewish unity writes further can only be cerely crave Jewish unity. We fundamentals of Judaism: in the face of all the discord described as remarkable. long for it, we moralize to G-d, Torah, mitzvot. But and disunity that exists with- each other about it, and we remarkably, those differences in our people? It is by realiz- . Who feels that he is in wring our hands in despair don't define the core of our ing that as Jews our kinship is his essential nature a Jew and when it eludes us. (Then we inner Jewishness. What not the product of similar who has no desire to alter turn around and blame each defines our Jewish selves is ideas or shared values, or that… If the question were to other for that...) Conversely, the neshama, by which we are even our commitment to be put to him: 'Since you we exult over any fleeting all essentially and equally Torah and mitzvot. Realisti- have abandoned all these "No reader will find manifestations of Jewish Jewish. Repeat: essentially cally, those vary from time to common characteristics of it easy to put togetherness. We get goose- and equally Jewish. time and from individual to your countrymen, what is bumps every time we witness individual. Rather, our unity there left to you that is himself in the a momentary coming togeth- Despite our profound dis- is a reality far deeper, far Jewish?' he would reply: 'A emotional position er of Jews from differing per- agreements about what being more enduring and far more very great deal, and probably suasions, ancestral traditions Jewish is supposed to look consistent than any of our its very essence.' He could not of an author who or modes of practice. like, and how our Jewishness ideas or behaviors. Our unity now express that essence is completely ought to be manifested, our So, what gives? How can a is the oneness of our essence. clearly in words; but some estranged from the underlying Jewishness is day, no doubt, it will become people so divided into philo- absolute and uniform. If we would take the time sophical groups and sub- to reflect on the lofty inner accessible to the scientific religion of his The same concept applies mind." groups, schools of thought, nature of every Jewish soul, fathers but who affiliations and what-have- on the individual level. We all we would discover that the The "author" of whom he has yet never you even talk about being an experience ups and downs in imperative to "love our fellow speaks is, of course, himself. repudiated Am Echad - a unified, singu- our day-to-day Jewish per- as we love ourselves" is not lar people, a nation of one? formance. Some days we just an idealistic exaggeration or Truly remarkable! Freud is his people.” do better Jewishly than oth- telling the world that regard- How can we be expected to a poetic platitude, but a reali- "love our fellow as we love ers… But despite those varia- ty that sits within each of us, less of his seemingly com- Sigmund Freud tions in our "doing Jewish," plete and utter disaffection ourselves", when we can which we are urged to uncov- hardly identify any common- the nature of our "being er and to embrace. To be sure, from the ideas and practices Jewish" remains unchanged. of Judaism, he remains the longest time, going back alities between us? the path to reaching that des- to the hair-splitting Talmudic Even more: it is unchange- Jewish in his essence - and Am I expected to love that tination is not an easy one to debates between the Schools able. It is a constant. It is who navigate, but it is very much admits that this is something fellow who makes me cringe we are. Each and every one of his scientific mind cannot of Shammai and Hillel, and within our ability to achieve. even earlier. The Talmud every time he opens his us. All the time. fully explain. mouth? The one whose seems to suggest that this is Freud, the self-described When unpacked, I believe the way it was meant to be: understanding of Judaism I that this remarkable state- "Just as their faces are not think is completely off the ment reflects a critical idea alike, so their opinions are rails? The one whose behav- not alike." ior I consider to be way out of line? That's just the way it is. With such intense discord, Jews can argue about how can we realistically IS YOUR almost everything under the aspire to Jewish unity? sun, and we do. We not only CHILD AWAY debate how to observe Shabbat, what kind of food The Soul Factor AT COLLEGE? we should eat, or what our Enter the concept of the

FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF COLLEGE CHABAD HOUSES HOFFMAN'S GO TO MUSIC & APPLIANCE WWW.CHABAD.EDU TODDMART PLAZA 3450 Winton Place The Chabad Times (ISSN 155) is published 4 times a year by: Rochester, NY 14623 Chabad Lubavitch of Rochester, Phone 427-7300 Inc. 1037 Winton Rd. S. Rochester, N.Y. 14618 Tel.: 271-0330 Fax: 271-0213 OPEN EVENINGS The Chabad Times - Rochester NY - Adar 5781 page 5 large population, and that We see that the Torah nar- 17th are full of anachronisms, tradition is not directly in rates events that a later chro- but the Torah preserves the contradiction to any evidence nologist would be very idiosyncrasies of each era. to the contrary. Such as is the uncomfortable describing - In general, the Five Books case with our traditional such as the failures of the of Moses have the style of belief that Moses wrote the heroes of the stories and the someone obsessed with detail Torah. It makes sense that people as a whole. Then there and accuracy - even when Moses wrote the Torah, since are accounts of marital rela- those details are overtly that is the simplest and best tions that were later forbid- embarrassing and inconven- explanation, and it is a strong den. Why would an author ient. (For a thorough treat- tradition that lay uncontested later than Moses want to ment of this topic, see for millennia. We have plenty write that Jacob married two Provan, Iain W., V. Philips of evidence that a phonetic sisters, when this was already Long, and Tremper Longman alphabet was already in use at III, A Biblical History of Israel the time. We see that the style Nevertheless, (Louisville: Westminster John of the text matches the style Knox Press, 2003).) of documents from that time anyone resting Is There Flawless Proof period. We see that it provides their faith on The line of tradition is also an accurate account of mat- fundamentally reliable, since That Torah Is True? ters for which we have exter- historical evidence there is plenty of evidence by Tzvi Freeman nal evidence. (For one exam- of facts alone is (not proof, but strong evi- ple: In Genesis 37:28, Joseph building a home on dence), archeological and Question: science as well. In the 19th is sold "for twenty pieces of otherwise, that the Jews were century it was a widely held silver." Kenneth Kitchen, in a the swampy banks always a literate society Years ago I attended a belief that a scientific fascinating article in Biblical obsessed with preservation of seminar where we were pre- of the Mississippi. approach to history would Archeological Review pres- traditions. Since the Torah sented with logical proofs eventually uncover, in the ents evidence from other Near Faith cannot be was in the public domain of a that the Torah was delivered words of Leopold von Ranke, Eastern texts that this was the based on evidence literate populace, it would be to us by Moses at Sinai. I was "how it actually was." going rate for a slave in the difficult for significant convinced and began a path of an event of the Old Babylonian period - just changes to fall into the text. towards complete Jewish But science is about repro- around the time of the event, past, no matter As well, there was always a observance. After many years ducible experimentation and but not before and not after. how strong the central authority with a Torah and much thought, I (and observation, and history is In fact, slave prices in later scroll from which to check many of my friends who were about things that can never evidence may be. biblical texts are higher, in any variance. similarly convinced) realize be reproduced or observed. So keeping with the trend Faith arises out of that every one of these proofs in the 20th century the idea Nevertheless, anyone rest- recorded elsewhere.) is flawed, including the clas- of history as a science came your personal life ing their faith on historical sic proof of Rabbi Yehudah under serious skepticism. By The Torah also provides experience. evidence of facts alone - even Halevi in the Kuzari. I contin- 1964, Alan Richardson was accounts in a style that is in this case - is building a ue to practice as an orthodox able to write, "No one hard to imagine someone home on the swampy banks forbidden by the law of Jew, but I do not have faith in believes that historical judg- writing at a later date - such of the Mississippi. Faith can- Moses? Or that Abraham the ideology. ments can be 'proved' after as the detailed accounts of not be based on evidence of the fashion of verification in the building of the Tabernacle claimed to have married his an event of the past, no mat- My question has to do with the natural sciences." Today and the census of the people. half-sister - likewise forbid- ter how strong the evidence being called to the Torah and the only historians who still These accounts read precisely den? Or that Judah and may be. Faith arises out of making a blessing that says cling to the belief that they as we would expect a compi- Simeon married Canaanite your personal life experience. "He has chosen us from all are really scientists are those lation of accounting scrolls to women, and Joseph married You don't have faith in your the nations and given us His antiquarians who engage in read, certainly not as a fic- an Egyptian? Books written wife because your research Torah," when I do not really "biblical criticism" (supple- tional narrative. in the 19th century about the •Continued on page 6 believe that this Torah in mented with related studies of front of me is the one given archeological artifacts) in to Moses. Am I permitted to their attempts to "prove" or make this blessing if I do not "disprove" the Biblical believe what I am saying? account. Many of the "facts of his- Response: tory" that are commonly I have to agree with you accepted today are really that there is no scientifically quite questionable. Just take a flawless proof that the Torah look at how newspapers we have today is exactly what today report events around Moses wrote. It's obviously the world as they are happen- so, since there is no real sci- ing. How can anyone then ence of history, of proving have faith in the history we anything in the past. reconstruct from fragments of copies of copies of docu- At one time history was ments, traditions and artifacts thought of as the retelling of from thousands of years ago? traditions. It is within that Rather, history is more an art context that the proof of the than a science, a form of Kuzari that you cite was for- interpretation of traditions, mulated, basically saying that relic documents and scattered the tradition with the most artifacts. witnesses wins. With the rise of the natural sciences in the True, there can be over- 18th century, physics-envy whelming evidence for a par- drove many scholars to ticular event. Specifically, attempt to mold history into a when there is a strong tradi- tion that is accepted by a

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610 E. RIDGE RD. • ROCHESTER. N.Y. 14621 page 6 The Chabad Times - Rochester NY -Adar 5781 FLAWLESS PROOF than that. Jewishness should Continued from page 5 not be reduced to actions alone. There has to be a into her past demonstrates Jewish experience involved that she deserves it; you trust as well. That's where faith can her because you know her, really rest - on the inner personally and intimately. human experience. A Jew You build a marriage based needs to find and nurture that on trust, not the other way faith within that "G-d is good around. and there is only one of Him." Precisely the same applies He/she needs to feel an affin- to our faith in the Torah. ity, a closeness and an inti- Despite everything they tell mate relationship with that you in those seminars, we G-d, with His Torah and with don't believe that G-d gave us the Jewish People. the Torah at Sinai because we So this is where I see your have proof. Rather, we begin faith right now - tell me if I Bonaparte & The Chassid by Yanki Tauber with our personal belief that have it straight: You believe G-d is good, that He is pur- in the Jewish people; you Hear O Israel, the Lord is seminal work of Chabad French army was meeting" poseful and that there is only believe in a benevolent, all- our G-d, the L-rd is one. And Chassidism, Rabbi Schneur related Reb Moshe "and hotly one of Him - and we believe encompassing G-d who creat- you shall love the L-rd your Zalman of Liadi states: "By its debating the maneuvers and all that despite everything we ed you with a purpose; and G-d... very nature, the mind rules the arrangement of the flanks see out there. Then we build you feel that "orthopraxy" is The Maggid of Mezeritch the heart." This axiom, for the upcoming battle. The from there. good. What you are missing expounded on the verse "And known as the 'Alef of maps were spread on the is a meaningful experience of Chassidus', forms the corner- floor, and the generals were Why do we believe? you shall love the L-rd your Because we are Jews and that orthopraxy, in terms of G-d": How can there be a stone of the Chabad- examining the roads and its inner soul and spirit. This Chassidic approach to life. trails, unable to reach a deci- that's just the way we are. We commandment to love? Love inherited from our ancestors is what Chabad attempts to is a feeling of the heart: one The renowned chassid sion. Time is short. Tomorrow, present in terms of intellectu- or, at the very latest, the day this integral conviction that who has the feeling - loves. Rabbi Moshe Meisel of Vilna, He is one and He is good, and al Chassidus and a chassidic What can a person do if, G-d youngest of Rabbi Schneur after, the battle on the envi- lifestyle: not just practice, but rons of Vilna must begin. therefore life is essentially forbid, love is not imbedded Zalman's disciples, once told good and meaningful, and no an inner, spiritual experience in his heart? How can the Rabbi Eisel of Homel: "The "They were still debating matter what, we just can't of that practice. Torah instruct "you shall Alef of Chassidus saved me when the door flew open with shuck that off. We can try to In this, as well, lies the love" as if it were a matter of from a certain death." a crash. The guard stationed run from it, or to transmute it answer to your predicament choice? Rabbi Moshe Meisel, an inside the door was greatly into radical politics, guru- concerning a blessing on the But the commandment extremely learned man, was alarmed and drew his chasing, trendsetting or even Torah. Ask yourself: In what actually lies in the previous fluent in German, Russian, revolver. So great was the extreme corporate climbing. do I have faith? In a book? verse, "Hear O Israel." The Polish and French. During commotion, that everyone But at the bottom of every- Rather, the Jewish faith is in Hebrew word Shema ('hear') Napoleon's invasion of Russia thought that the enemy had thing that a Jew does lies an that abovementioned rela- also means 'understand'. So he served as a translator for burst in in an attempt to cap- inherent, simple faith that tionship between G-d and the the Torah is commanding a the French High Command. ture General Shtaub… there's got to be meaning Jewish people. Torah is the person to study, comprehend, Rabbi Schneur Zalman had "But it was Napoleon him- behind all this somewhere. communication of that rela- and reflect upon the oneness charged him to associate with self who appeared in the Once we recognize that tionship, and it is really an of G-d. Because of the nature the French military officials, doorway. The Emperor's face foundation and give it some ongoing dialogue through the of the human mind and heart, to attain a position in their was dark with fury. He room to breathe, we look at Talmudic approach that con- and the relationship between service, and to convey all that stormed into the room and our history and see it in that tinues to be generated along them, this will inevitably lead he learned to the commanders raged: ‘Has the battle been light. We ask, "If G-d is good, the generations. So if this is to a love of the Almighty of the Russian army. Within a planned? Have the orders to why doesn't He communicate the Torah that the Jewish since, in essence, the mind short while Rabbi Moshe had form the flanks been issued?’ with us?" Well, here's an people are saying a blessing on today, this must be the rules the heart. If one con- succeeded in gaining the "'And who is this answer: He does, through His Torah that G-d communicates templates deeply and yet is favor of the chief command- stranger?!' he continued, Torah and through its sages. to them - along with all the still not excited with a love ers of Napoleon's army and pointing to me. In a flash he Since we are created as innovations of Halacha that of G-d, this is only because he was privy to their most secret was at my side. 'You are a spy semi-rational beings, we need have been accepted by the has not sufficiently refined plans. for Russia!' he thundered, and some sort of support for this Jewish community at large and purified himself of the It was he, Rabbi Moshe, placed his hand upon my faith from our power of rea- over the millennia. things which stifle his capac- who saved the Russian arms chest to feel the pounding ity to sense and relate to the son. We look, and we see that arsenal in Vilna from the fate heart of a man exposed. At it is not unreasonable at all. I am confident that if you Divine. Aside from this, such which befell the arsenal in that moment, the Alef of take this approach, eventually contemplation by the mind In fact - if you have no prob- Schvintzian. He alerted the Chassidus stood me by. My lem with G d speaking to man you will be able to make will always result in a feeling Russian commander in mind commanded my heart to peace with the statement of of love… and open miracles - it has charge, and those who tried beat not an increment faster. more support than any other Maimonides that a person Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok to blow up the arsenal were In an unwavering voice I document from the distant who claims that a single word of Lubavitch caught in the act. said: 'The commanders of His past. of the Torah was not told by Note: In his Tanya, the "The High Command of the Highness the Emperor have G-d to Moses, that person is a taken me as their interpreter, That's why, really, your heretic. For the Torah that the as I am knowledgeable in the approach of "orthopraxy" is Jewish people as a whole languages crucial to the car- more viable. Your Judaism treasure and make a blessing rying out of their duties.' does not rest on an event of upon is G d's communication the past, but on your present through Moses to His people. “Napoleon abruptly turned reality. But I would go further to continue his conversation with his officers..."

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It was at first decision I suspect was made or let me move forward. just a little flash, nothing as reactionary or based on Eleven months later, I stood serious, and something easily emotion. in the sun of a warm dismissed and forgotten November day, my hair still a about until the next little bit wet from the mikvah, a flash. I am a Jew. I follow complete failure as an atheist. But at some point between the mitzvot that are I lived in Brooklyn for then and the moment I found commanded and I three years, two of them myself standing in the rain, before getting married. At watching the pages of my have knowledge of some point, unable to deny a Psalms fill with droplets and my place in the lack of something, I began to begin to wrinkle from the universe. Shouldn't visit the Ohel weekly when I moisture, I had decided to could. While I never professed visit the Ohel, the Rebbe's that be enough? to be a Chassid, I felt a calm- gravesite in Queens, N.Y., a I swore it was. ness and centering from these place I hadn't been in more In my arrogance visits. than 16 years and a place I and hubris, I I sometimes wrote pages actually thought I wouldn't and sometimes said very lit- ever be again. Not because I believed that I tle. But I wasn't quite able to had necessarily changed my could stand apart allow myself to feel much outlook on religion or obser- from G-d and more than the quiet connec- vance or because I had taken tion, the low grade hum that some dramatic new course in have faith without is in the background of our life, but because when I left lives as Jews. That feeling of Brooklyn so many years ago, warmth. This was despite very wise living in two worlds, the spir- I didn't believe there was itual and the mundane. The anything missing by never and patient people knowledge of the monumen- visiting again. In fact, I didn't telling me to tal mission of making a home think anything was missing for what was for me a distant at all. the contrary. G-d in this world and the I would be proven wrong. It took 16 years for daily, sometimes drab mission all the stress and laughter because I had nothing to fall Tied to this decision to make me to come to the of simply living. that goes with it. back on, no relationship with the trek back to a place that I strengthened that pull to my Creator. To me, He was had played a large part in my conclusion that Sixteen years also brought, the eternal and essential with distant, unknowable and life - and in ways that go admittedly, a period of lazi- they were right. study, and adding these visits maybe even uncaring on the deeper than an easy explana- ness on my part, where I sud- was another way to hone my individual level. I did what I tion - is my decision to once denly found myself not sensitivity to it. I still needed to do not out of love, again begin to cover my hair This outlook can be a shoring up my connection to believed, however, that there but out of loyalty and the with a wig. Who would have tremendous strength, but it G-d and purpose through was little need for joy or an simple fact that I am a Jew guessed? Certainly not me. At can also become a devastat- learning as I once had. It is actual relationship with G-d and that is what a Jew is sup- least, not a few months ago. ing weakness. I easily become easy to justify. I'm busy. I suspicious of anything out- in this mission, and that have a lot on my plate with posed to do. Yet now, it seemed to make knowledge of purpose in itself sense. It seemed clear and side of reason and thought, challenging kids. I can make Sixteen years brought a lot and eventually, that suspicion was enough to pull a person up for it later. I'm still doing of things my way, however, obvious, though I don't through life. exactly expect this return to included faith and ultimately what I need to do. and in the end, it brought the a personal relationship with make much sense to an out- I am a Jew. I follow the The laziness hit me hard •Continued on page 12 side observer. G-d, which seems like a very mitzvot that are commanded bizarre thing for an observant and I have knowledge of my What I was doing was Jew, I suppose. place in the universe. answering a question posed Shouldn't that be enough? I to me near the beginning of It was rational thought and observation that brought me swore it was. In my arrogance my odyssey: Is it enough? So and hubris, I believed that I there I stood in the rain in a to admit G-d's existence to myself and convert to could stand apart from G-d place so familiar from what and have faith without felt like a lifetime ago. An Judaism nearly 20 years ago. I could no longer see the warmth. This was despite very unexpected messenger, I had wise and patient people with me letters and lists of world and not see Him, and I could no longer see the telling me to the contrary. It names written by friends in took 16 years for me to come my pocket, standing only Jewish people and not see His hand. to the conclusion that they with my daughter and one or were right. two strangers, my newly That's not to say that I acquired hair hanging wet on came to this conclusion That time saw me go my shoulders and my entirely happily or suddenly through the childbearing thoughts suddenly running had this miraculous feeling of years of marriage with four too quickly to grab a hold of warmth and belonging. children. It took me through a after having practiced what I Conversion, both the halachic few moves as my husband would say for days. process and the personal finished his medical training. process, is difficult, and there Two states. The death of a I am not a person who parent. The gut punch that is makes decisions impetuously. was a moment of deep frus- tration where I stood at the having children diagnosed I tend to pause; chewing on with conditions and, thank- angles and outcomes, ramifi- Western Wall in Jerusalem and begged (or maybe fully, the great successes that cations and justifications. I followed struggles. Babies don't follow impulse. I des- demanded) that G-d make me a Jew or remove any desire to who became teenagers, and

Happy Purim Stop by our Kosher bakery display for your favorite Hamantashen, available in three varieties and Family Pack, plus treats for Shalach Manot. page 8 The Chabad Times - Rochester NY - Adar 5781 Purim Holiday Guide - Thursd The Anti-Semite The Beginning Of The End Meanwhile, Haman, a descendant of Sleep eluded the king that night, so Amalek - the implacable enemy of he asked his servants to read for him the Jewish people - became Prime from the Royal Chronicles. When Minister of the king's court. The they reached the episode where king had issued an order command- Mordechai saved his life, he realized ing everyone in the palace to bow that Mordechai had never been down in deference to Haman, but rewarded. Just at that moment, Mordechai refused because Haman Haman appeared in the courtyard, wore an idol around his neck. This planning to suggest to the king to so enraged Haman that he devised a hang Mordechai. scheme to annihilate all the Jews in When he entered Achashverosh's the kingdom on the 13th day of the chambers, the king asked Hebrew month of Adar. Haman, "What shall be done to a person whom the king Mordechai's Request wishes to honor?" Once Upon A Time… Hearing of the evil plan, Mordechai Haman, who was cer- It all began in the city of Shushan of donned sackcloth and ashes and tain that the king Ancient Persia in the 4th century told Esther that she must go to the wished to honor BCE. The reigning King Achash- king and intercede on behalf of her him, responded: verosh hosted a series of lavish people. To appear before the king "Bring royal gar- royal feasts in his palace that went without being summoned meant ment and a royal on for 180 days - six months! Every risking her life. Esther requested that horse. And let one citizen living in Shushan was invit- all the Jews undertake a three-day of the king's ed. The Jews, too, participated in the be fast of prayer and repentance. nobles dress the rescinded. A great party. Mordechai gathered the Jews of man and lead him Intoxicated with the excitement of new decree Shushan - especially the children, on the horse was issued, granting the festivities and days of endless 22,000 of them - and they fasted, through the city drinking, King Achashverosh com- the Jews permission and the means repented and prayed to G-d. streets, proclaiming before him, 'So to defend themselves against their manded his queen, Vashti, to appear is done for the man whom the king before his guests wearing only her enemies. The Jews experienced a The First Feast wishes to honor!'" stunning victory. crown. Vashti refused. Enraged, the At the end of the three days of "Great idea," Achashverosh res- king consulted with his ministers prayer, Esther stood uninvited be- ponded. "Now go get the garments and had Vashti executed. In Commemoration fore Achashverosh. Upon seeing her, and the horse and do so for At that time, the 14th day of Adar the king immediately extended his Mordechai the Jew!" Haman had no was consecrated as the festival of The Beauty Contest scepter. "What is it?" Achashverosh choice but to comply. On the next The king now needed a new queen. Purim, to celebrate and commemo- asked. "What is your request?" "I day he went and honored Mordechai rate the great miracle of our people's Achashverosh had all the beautiful would like to invite the king and as the king had ordered, and then women of the country brought to salvation and the downfall of the Haman to a private party," Esther immediately rushed to join the king wicked Haman. This holiday, called the palace so that he might choose a responded. and Esther for... wife. The king chose Esther (Hada- "Purim", is the most joyous holiday During the feast, the king again on the Jewish calendar. ssah), the cousin of Mordechai, who asked Esther whether she had any The Second Feast was one of the leaders of the Jewish request. "Yes," Esther responded. "I "What is your request?" a curious people. Heeding Mordechai's advice, would appreciate if tomorrow, King Achashverosh asked Esther at Then & Now Esther did not reveal her identity as The Talmud tells us that "whoever again, the king and Haman would the feast. "If I have found favor in reads the Megillah backwards does a Jewess, and observed Jewish law join me for a feast." your eyes, O’ King," Esther replied. secretly in the palace. not fulfill his obligation." Our Sages Haman left the party a happy and "Spare my life and the lives of my explain that "backwards" does not proud man. Oh, the honor he was people." Surprised, Achashverosh only mean in reverse order; it also Mordechai To The Rescue being accorded! But standing at the asked Esther who had threatened means that whoever reads the Mordechai would spend time at the king's gate was Mordechai - who her. She replied that it was none palace gates every day, waiting for Megillah merely as ancient history still refused to bow to Haman - and other than the wicked Haman. has missed the point. The Purim word from Esther. One day Morde- Haman was enraged. When he Haman was immediately hanged on chai overheard two of the king's story is directly relevant to our con- arrived home, his wife and wise the gallows he had intended for temporary world. As the Megillah chamberlains discussing a plot to advisors counseled him to erect a Mordechai. assassinate the king. He told Esther itself tells us, when we celebrate gallows, and then to go to the king Purim each year, the miraculous of the plot and she informed the and request permission to hang king. The plot was foiled, and The Tables Are Turned events of Purim - G-d’s protection Mordechai. Haman excitedly went Although Haman was dead, his cruel and the victory over our enemies - Mordechai was credited with saving ahead and put up the gallows. decree remained unchanged. the king's life. are "remembered and reenacted" in According to Persian law, once a our lives. king had issued a decree it could not

a b c Smile! It’s Purim! a b c awestruck and told the legendary ed: "Fine. 10 o'clock... tonight!" well. David's father meets the school golfer that his greatest wish was to  Next is the engineer. He, too, principal and asks, "So, how is my have one round of golf with the decides to die facing up. As they David behaving in school?" The great Ben Hogan. On a beautiful Sunday afternoon, in slowly raise the blade of the guillo- principal replies, "Your David, wow! Hogan was duly honored, after all, the midst of the French Revolution, tine, the engineer suddenly says, If only there were 3 boys in this he knew Charlie as the great blind the revolting citizens lead a clergy- "Hey, I see what your problem is..." school like your David, this school player that he was, and truly man, a drunkard and an engineer to  would be the best in the entire town, admired his skills. the guillotine. perhaps even the country!" But suddenly Boswell blurted out an They ask the clergyman if he wants One morning, the teacher asks her The father is beaming inside until unexpected challenge. "Would you to face up or down when he meets class, "All those who want to take a the principal concludes, "The prob- like to play for money, Mr. Hogan?" his fate. The clergyman says he tour of the sewer system, please put lem is we have 150 boys like him!" "Charlie, you know I can't play you would like to face up so he will be up your hand."  for money, it wouldn't be fair!" said looking towards heaven when he No one raises their hand except Mr. Hogan. Boswell did not flinch. dies. They raise the blade of the Benjamin, so the teacher asks, "Why Charlie Boswell was a great athlete Instead he upped the ante. "Aw, guillotine and release it. It comes do you want to tour the sewer sys- who became blind during World come on, $1,000 per hole!" "I can't. speeding down and suddenly stops tem, Benjamin?" War II while rescuing his friend What would people think of me, just inches from his neck. The "Because," he replies, "I heard my from a tank that was under fire. taking advantage of you and your authorities take this as divine inter- father tell my mother, 'Business has When he returned to the U.S. after circumstance," replied the golfer vention and release the priest. gone down the drain' and I want to the War, he decided to take up a new who indeed was able to see. The drunkard comes to the guillo- go where the business went." sport, golf. Years of practice and "Chicken, Mr. Hogan?" tine next. He also decides to die face  determination led him to win the "Okay," blurted a frustrated Hogan, up, hoping that he will be as fortu- honor of National Blind Golf "I'll play. But I warn you, I am going nate as the clergyman. They raise One morning, the teacher asks her Champion 13 times! One of his to play my best!" the blade of the guillotine and class, "All those who want to take a heroes was the great golfer Ben "I wouldn't expect anything else," release it. It comes speeding down tour of the sewer system, please put Hogan, so it truly was an honor for said the confident Boswell. "You're and suddenly stops just inches from up your hand." No one raises their Charlie to win the Ben Hogan Award on Charlie. I'll tell you what. You his neck. Again, the authorities take hand except Benjamin, so the in 1958. name the time and the place!" A this as a sign of divine intervention, teacher asks, "Why do you want to Upon meeting Hogan, Charlie was very self-assured Boswell respond- and they release the drunkard as tour the sewer system, Benjamin?" For more Purim info go to www.chabadrochester.com/purim The Chabad Times - Rochester NY - Adar 5781 page 9 day & Friday, March 25 & 26 long journey until the coming of have, because we've achieved that Amalek, Haman's Moshiach - speedily in our days. pure sense of oneness that is so elu- ancestors, who sive at other times. sought to destroy Mishloach Manot the Jews at their Gifts Of Food Seudat Purim very birth upon On Purim we treat our The Festive Purim Feast the exodus from friends to… treats. Of course, we eat on Purim. Can you Egypt. Send a gift of at least imagine a day of Jewish rejoicing two kinds of ready- that doesn't in- Amalek is not just a nation, it is a to-eat foods (for clude a festive mindset of implacable hatred for the example, pastry, fruit, meal? The Purim Jewish People. Even as we first tast- beverage), ideally by Feast is an occa- ed the sweetness of freedom imme- messenger, to at sion for every diately following our Exodus from least one friend member of the family - Egypt, the Amalekites declared war. - men to immediate, extended, and friends - They made another attempt as we men,to celebrate with food and wine. entered the Land of Israel forty women to years later, and on numerous occa- women, Other Purim Observances sions throughout our history. kids to Ta'anit Esther kids. The The Fast Of Esther There is a spiritual aspect to Amalek ideal mes- Purim is a day of unbridled joy. Yet as well; an insidious toxin within us senger? A the day that precedes it is one of that invades our Jewish soul, a child, of fasting. Why? Because the Jews of moral virus that attempts to derail course - Persia - aware that there can be no us by pouring "cold water" to damp- they love it. victory without Divine help - fasted en our enthusiasm as we try to and prayed on this very day. emancipate ourselves from our Being nice is always right. But, inner constraints and move onwards Mishloach Manot is Fasting is very effective in moving in our Jewishness. We counter this Celebrating Purim more than nice, it's us from our material routine into a Amalek by reaching into our soul Body & Soul a Mitzvah that more refined, introspective state. It for that eternal bond with G-d, to The observance of the different we're obligated to enables us to reach an inner dimen- that deepest space where doubt does Mitzvot and customs of Purim, each perform. It gives sion and achieve a higher con- not exist, where faith bonds us with representing a perspective of the expression to our sciousness. the A-mighty. festival, as well as the spirit of the desire for Jewish holiday, are to help us capture and unity and friend- Machatzit Hashekel Hamantashen Recipe experience what Purim stands for. ship. It enables us When the Holy Temple stood in Hamantashen, a traditional Purim to bypass our Jerusalem, every Jew delight, is a three-cornered pastry Listen To The Megillah "body" - our differences, and give was obligated to filled with "mohn" (poppy seed) or Ancient history? Not for us. expression to our Neshama (soul). In contribute a half other sweet filling. The Purim saga is some- fact, it's a great opportunity to re- shekel at this time of 1 cup sugar thing we must expe- connect with someone from the the year. We com- 1/3 cup oil rience for ourselves. past. Allowing our soul to overflow memorate this by 1/2 cup margarine How? By listening to with joy and generosity can be con- giving three half- 3 eggs the reading of the Megillah (The tagious. Sharing food that can be dollar coins to charity - usually in 4 cups flour Scroll of Esther) on the night enjoyed immediately does wonders the synagogue - either on the day of 1/2 cup orange Purim begins and again during to shore up friendships, heal old the Fast of Esther or just prior to the juice the daytime. When Haman's name is wounds, and make us each a part of Megillah reading. 3 tsps. baking powder mentioned, we twirl graggers and one another. 1 tsp. salt stamp our feet to "drown out" his By contributing a half shekel we 1 egg, beaten evil name. Tell the children Purim is Matanot L'evyonim declare that as individuals we are 2 lbs. "mohn" filling the only time when it's a Mitzvah to Gifts To The Needy incomplete, merely one half of an make noise! Tzedakah (charity) is synonymous entity. The other half is G-d, with Cream sugar, oil and margarine. Add with being Jewish. whom we bond. As we are all mere- eggs and juice and mix well. Blend The Megillah is unique among the And we don't need a ly halves - incomplete beings - we with dry ingredients and roll into a books of the Bible. G-d's name does special occasion to achieve wholeness only by bonding ball. Divide into four parts. Roll out not appear, even once. All the same, give charity. Never- with other Jews, and together we each piece very thin (approximately G-d is constantly present, His name theless, Purim day is a bond with the A-mighty. The 1/8 inch) on a floured board. With hidden amidst the words. Yes, it is special time when we Machatzit Hashekel reminds us that the rim of a cup or glass (depending easy to delude ourselves into believ- must give material we are not alone and, indeed, can- on desired size) cut into the dough ing that the Purim saga and the ulti- help to at least two not be alone. to make circles. Place 1/2 to 2/3 tea- mate deliverance of the Jews was a people in need. The spoon of filling in the middle of natural occurrence. It is only by Mitzvah is best ful- Special Prayers each circle. looking deeper, that we see the hand filled by giving directly to the Al Hanissim is recited during the To shape into triangle, lift up right of G-d, like a master puppeteer, needy. If, however, you cannot find Amidah (Silent and left sides, leaving the bottom weaving disparate elements, discon- poor people, place at least several Devotion) of the side down, and bring both sides to nected plots, and subplots together coins into pushkas (charity boxes). evening, morn- meet at center, above the filling. Lift toward an inexorable finale. In fact, ing, and after- bottom side up to center to meet this is one of the reasons for dis- Tzedakah on Purim is special, noon prayers, as other two guising ourselves on Purim - for because it goes beyond mere gen- well as during sides. G-d “disguised Himself within erosity toward a needy individual. the Birkat Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brush nature. On Purim, Tzedakah becomes Hamazon (Grace After Meals.) dough with beaten egg before bak- Jewish unity in action. It motivates During the morning service, there is ing. Place on greased cookie sheet. The Megillah is a sensational story. us to transcend our complacency by also a special reading from the Torah. Bake at 350 degrees for approxi- It's such a powerful reminder that bonding with a fellow Jew who is mately 20 minutes. G-d is always looking out for His totally outside our social and eco- Parshat Zachor Yields 4 dozen Hamantashen. People; sustaining us, giving us the nomic orbit. We give to (at least) On the Shabbat before Purim the courage and the energy to forge two needy people in order to rein- Torah portion, "Zachor" (Remember) ahead against all odds. This has force our kinship with different is read in the synagogue, and we are been true from the very birth of the types of people, even people for all enjoined to be present at that Jewish people and throughout our whom we lack an instinctive empa- moment. The Torah commands us to thy. On Purim we share what we remember the deeds of the nation of

"Because," he replies, "I heard my food," said one of them. both of you." mouth. "Wow," he thought, "This father tell my mother, 'Business has "You can come with me to my Soon, everyone had been picked up. stuff tastes good!" gone down the drain' and I want to house, then," said Maurice. They had been travelling for only a The next day he told a friend about go where the business went." "But I've got a wife and three kids few minutes when one of the men his amazing discovery: "I think I'll  just up the road." said to Maurice, "You're very kind. have a little more today." His friend "So we'll bring them along, too," Thank you for taking all of us with was concerned but didn't say any- One afternoon, Maurice, was driving replied Maurice. you." thing. The next day the mechanic his Rolls Royce when he passed two "And what about my friend?" Maurice replied, "I'm happy to be drank a whole bottle of brake fluid. poor looking men by the side of the Maurice turned to the other man able to do it. And you'll love my A few days later he was up to sever- road eating grass. Maurice quickly and said, "You can come with us, place - the grass is almost a foot al bottles a day, now his friend was stopped his car, backed up to the too." tall." really worried. men, wound down his window and "But, sir," said the friend, "I've got a  "Don't you know brake fluid is asked, "What on earth are you two wife and six children just up the toxic?" said the friend. "You'd better doing?" road." One day an auto mechanic was stop drinking it." "I'm starving, I have nowhere to live "OK. So we'll bring them as well," working under a car and some brake "Hey, no problem," the mechanic and I don't have any money to buy said Maurice. "Now get in my car, fluid accidentally dripped into his said. "I can stop any time." page 10 The Chabad Times - Rochester NY -Adar 5781 You are in intimate commun- ion of spirit with He who spoke and the universe came Did Mordechai Act Foolishly? to be. by Aron Moss A mitzvah is nothing less than a celebration of Creator- Question: It was quite a sight - a sea of bowed heads, with a few meets-created-and-the-two- In the Purim story, Jewish heads sticking out like become-one. Each mitzvah is Mordechai the Jew refuses to protruding icebergs. Or another love affair. An elope- bow down to the wicked maybe Goldbergs. ment from the clutches of Haman. As a result, Haman mundanity into the arms of enacts a decree to annihilate On reflection, this is aston- pure and infinite love. the entire Jewish nation. Did ishing. Where did we get this Yes, but … Mordechai do the right thing? defiance from? We were all from irreligious homes and Okay, so half the time Even if Haman thought he was a god, shouldn't were for the most part com- you're messing up. You keep pletely uneducated in slipping back into the dream, Mordechai have bowed down to him rather than risk the Judaism. No one ever told us forgetting the whole love not to bow down. In fact, for affair in the concerns and lives of the entire Jewish peo- ple? some of those students, this temptations of everyday life. non-bowing may have been So there are rocks along the only public statement of Paradise Road. Get your pri- Answer: being Jewish they ever made. orities straight: Focus on the In my youth, I attended a So what inspired us to be dif- What's So Joyous road and the paradise, not the non-Jewish school. Jews ferent? rocks. Make up, say you're made up about 10 percent of I believe we got it from sorry, and get on with the cel- the student body, and we felt Mordechai, the Jew who About Being Jewish? ebration of life. Even for a quite comfortable there. But refused to bow down. Some- A meditation to blow through every barrier of life moment. And then another sometimes we stood out. how, his story of defiance has moment. And there will be permeated the Jewish psyche, by Tzvi Freeman another moment. It wasn't a particularly religious school, but on occa- to the point that even 2500 Happiness is an explosive. those science courses you've Besides, those bumps along years later, we know in the It blows holes through every taken. In your creative works, sion they did hold prayer the road provide even greater services in a big hall with a depth of our souls that we sort of barrier. in music, art, prose and com- reason to celebrate. Celebrate don't bow down to anyone puterized simulations, you've huge cross at the front. At a Happiness is the juice that that your relationship with certain point during the serv- but G-d. powers life. feebly attempted to emulate the Master of the Universe some tiny iota of His ultimate ice, everyone was told to When Mordechai stood up runs at such a core level that kneel and bow before the to Haman, he wasn't putting Bees buzz from flower to masterfulness - and have it cannot be broken; that even flower in total ecstasy until always come out feeling oh so cross. So everyone did. the Jewish people at risk. On when you walk away from the contrary, he was saving the night. They're happy. inadequate. Him, He anxiously awaits But I didn't. I don't know why, but as everyone else countless Jews in all future Birds fly from branch to And now, yes, He's stand- your return. generations who would be branch, from forest to field, ing there in front of you, went down on their knees, I No love could be deeper, just sat there. I was a little inspired by his singular act of from one side of the world to smiling - and He grabs you, no joy could be greater. bravery, refusing to bow to the other twice a year. On all of you, in a mega-bear- nervous that I would be caught not kneeling. But then the forces that would try to happiness. hug. compromise their identity. A Jew Must Be Happy I realized that anyone who Human babies stand up saw me not kneeling was Our enemies will hate us and walk and fall down and The Mitzvah Hug Perhaps the greatest chal- himself not kneeling, so I was for not bowing to them, and get up and fall down and lenge for Jews of our time is safe. they will hate us even more if walk. Because they're happy. Why would you want to to re-associate being Jewish we do bow to them. But when Because life is happiness and imagine such a thing? with being joyous. Here's the funny thing. Looking around, I saw I was we stand tall and proud, happiness is life. Because this is the closest we unabashedly stating our can get to imagining what a We need to declare to our- not alone. Scattered around Because happiness means selves, to our children and to the hall were others who did Jewishness, then, like Morde- breaking out of your bound- mitzvah accomplishes - any chai, we will see the downfall mitzvah. the world that, no, being not bow. In fact, about 10 aries. And that's what life is: Jewish is not just about per- percent of the students were of evil and the triumph of A moment ago you were one secution, or anti-semitism, or sitting upright. None of the good. being, the next you are the Holocaust. Neither is it Jewish kids would bow down. another. Being alive means to just about the craving hunger be perpetually transcending and solemnity of a Yom yourself. Kippur service or bribing your The boundary of all kid to take his/her bar/bat boundaries is the barrier mitzvah lessons. between Creator and created. That's why we have cele- Go transcend that. Then you brations like Purim, and an are truly alive. entire month called Adar in Think of someone you which we are told that it's a greatly love, respect and mitzvah to increase our joy admire. Some great genius or A mitzvah is the piercing each day of the month. Joy hero before whom you feel of the wall of creation. over what? Over being a Jew. hopelessly insignificant, or Being Jewish is about cele- even asininely redundant. A mitzvah is the liberation of life from its confines. brating who you are, cele- Chabad Weekly Update Now imagine you're down brating what you are a part and out, all alone, stuck up in A mitzvah is a request of, and celebrating every www.chabadrochester.com/subscribe a derelict, one-room apart- from beyond the final wall. mitzvah you can pack in dur- ment on skid row. What are His requests? ing a lifetime. There's a knock on the He requests, from His very That's why we celebrate door, you crack it open, and essence and being, that you year after year our liberation who trots in but this very engage every limb of your from bondage in Egypt - special person, a sparkling body in a dance of beautiful because that is what being a smile on his face and a bottle deeds together with Him. Jew is all about: Exodus; of champagne in his hand, he Each mitzvah is a full body breaking chains, shattering gives you a big hug and embrace. the bounds of a limited being. exclaims, "Let's celebrate that He asks that you speak to Being a Jew means to con- we are together!" Him each of your innermost nect with the infinite that is Take that, and now bump it desires, in joy and in tears, in beyond all things. Being a up one: Imagine that this is celebration and in sorrow. Jew means having the chutz- not a person, but the Author Every word is another kiss to pah to pummel through all of Heaven and Earth. your lips. barriers, even the ultimate wall at the edge of all exis- You've watched in fascina- He asks that you engage tence. tion and awe all those your mind and soul in the joy Discovery Channel documen- and delight of the teachings With joy and celebration, taries, goggle-eyed over His He will share with you. You we will demolish the final magnificent works, and study His Torah, sing its song, barriers that ‘separate’ attempted to fathom His swim in its ocean and wrestle Creation from its Creator. unfathomable ingenuity in all with the flow of its rivers. TO ADVERTISE IN THE CHABAD TIMES CALL 271--0330 The Chabad Times - Rochester NY - Adar 5781 page 11 Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a Chabad Rabbi by Sarah Ogince and the Mysterious Nature of Jewish Identity interest in the intersections ing the Second World War, Robert Barnes, because between Jewish and and by the idea of social jus- women today have more American law, that led the tice that she had absorbed in opportunities to participate in rabbi to think about the her youth. In 1993, when she observance. nation's highest court. In was nominated to the After her husband's death 2001, through a contact at the Supreme Court, Ginsburg in 2010, Ginsburg began law school, he met Scalia ("He paid tribute to her mother, speaking to Jewish audiences was very fond of Jewish whom she described as "the more frequently, in the United law"), and in 2005, Rabbi bravest and strongest person I States and in Israel. In 2015, Gurary created the National have ever known." she co-authored an essay Institute for Judaic Law, an about the role of women in academic organization that Deepening Engagement the Passover story, intended would consider current cases to be used as an insert in the before the high court in the On the Supreme Court, Haggadah. light of Halachah, Jewish law. Ginsburg took pains to define herself as a Jew in a way that And then there were her The project was launched notes to Rabbi Gurary, which with a dinner at the Supreme she had never done before. "I am a judge born, raised, and reveal a more intimate side of Court attended by Scalia, the justice's Jewish self. "My Stephen Breyer, and Gins- proud of being a Jew," she wrote in an essay for the dear Rabbi," she wrote on burg. Rabbi Gurary remained March 31, 2014: in contact with the justices American Jewish Committee afterwards - they learned to in 1996. "The demand for jus- World's best matzahs expect a package from him tice runs through the entirety arrived in good time for before the Jewish holidays. of Jewish tradition. I hope... I Passover. I will bring one box will have the courage to to the family seder... It is a remain constant in the service time that revives memories of Mother and Daughter of that demand." seders at my grandparents' Ginsburg responded warm- In addition to closing the home and of the dishes my ly to the rabbi's overtures. court on the High Holidays, mother brought up every year. "The beautifully crafted the new justice also lobbied They were my favorites. Kiddush cup revived memo- to have a Christian reference "She wrote to me openly, ries of Hanukkahs past chez removed from a certificate personally, in her own hand- my grandparents," she wrote presented to members of the writing," Rabbi Gurary says. in December 2004. Childhood Supreme Court bar. When a "She wanted me to know how had provided the most intense colleague objected that the she identifies with the Jewish Jewish experiences of the jus- previous arrangements had tradition, that she feels fond Writing by hand, on sta- had personally lobbied for the tice's life. been good enough for of it. The gifts brought back tionery bearing the seal of the court to close on the High Brandeis, Cardozo, Frank- memories of home." Supreme Court of the United Holidays; and there was the Like many of their contem- poraries in 1930s Flatbush, furter, and "even Goldberg," The changes in Ginsburg's States, Justice Ruth Bader poster on her wall with the the justice replied tartly, Ginsburg recalled her child- verse from Deuteronomy, the Bader family's primary Jewish life were subtle, focus was integration into "They're not good enough for almost imperceptible. Only hood as a young Jewish girl "Tzedek, tzedek, tirdof." Ginsburg." in Flatbush, Brooklyn: Justice, justice, shall you pur- American society. Ruth's she knew if, and how, her sue. (One of Ginsburg's mother, Celia Bader, had Rabbi Gurary recalls his feelings about her heritage Chanuka was a happy hol- grown up speaking Yiddish in first meeting with the justice had evolved over the years. iday for us, not the least famous jabots, the lace collars she wore with her judicial her home on Manhattan's in her chambers, when, he Yet her notes to Rabbi Gurary because of the gelt my grand- Lower East Side and dropped says, she proudly pointed out point to personal expressions father gave to the grandchil- robes, was embroidered with the words as well.) out of school at fifteen to that she had a mezuzah on of her identity in a channel dren, for which we lined up help pay for her brother's col- her door. "It was a prominent, that may have surprised her. from eldest to youngest. The Guardian subsequently lege tuition. She had some- silver mezuzah." As the rabbi says, "She didn't issued a correction: Though A thousand thanks! thing different in mind for As the years passed, it have to write all that." the justice had moved away her daughter. Intelligent and The thanks were for a sil- from observance, "she never- seemed to some that Certainly the rabbi's gifts strong-willed, Celia steered Ginsburg's engagement with provided an opportunity for ver menorah and candles, theless remained deeply com- Ruth toward a life of academ- delivered to the justice's mitted to her Jewish identity." Judaism was deepening. In Ginsburg to practice a core ic achievement in the name of 2008, she gave a talk at the tenet of Jewish tradition - one chambers by the note's recip- The critics were satisfied, but independence. ient, Rabbi Nosson Gurary, the exchange glossed over a Sixth and I Historic Syna- that her mother had pursued the Chabad representative to more subtle truth: Ginsburg's But Judaism was important gogue in Washington, during with passion. On receiving a Buffalo, and regional director relationship with her heritage, to Celia, too. The family which, a Washington Post Purim gift in 2004, she wrote, of Chabad Houses in Upstate like that of most Jews, was belonged to a Conservative reporter noted, she seemed it was "the ideal way to make New York. The menorah was dynamic and changing. synagogue in Flatbush, and reluctant to talk about her the holiday understood and one of dozens of Jewish Ruth attended Hebrew school move away from observance appreciated." She was, she mementos the rabbi sent Jewish identity flows in and Jewish summer camp for as a teenager. "Ginsburg said told the rabbi, passing it on to Ginsburg during the two many channels - religion, her entire childhood, first as a she might feel differently if her grandchildren. decades of their friendship - culture, ethnicity, collective camper and then as a coun- she were young now," wrote ornate dreidels on Chanukah, memory - and yet it is selor. According to Ginsburg baskets of sweets and beauti- defined by none of them. biographer Jane Sherron De ful games for Purim, silver Spiritual and mysterious in its Hart, Celia lit candles for Kiddush cups, and, the jus- essence, its expressions may Shabbat every Friday and tice's favorite, handmade mature, evolve, and even brought up a separate set of shmurah matzah for Passover. contradict themselves, from dishes from the basement for In return, he received thanks, moment to moment and over Passover. a lifetime. effusive, lyrical, and at times, As a child and young nostalgic. adult, Ruth fulfilled her Ginsburg, who passed Unlikely Friendships mother's demands in both spheres, excelling in public away on September 18 at the Rabbi Gurary became a age of 87, was memorialized school and earning the nick- witness to Ginsburg's Jewish name "rabbi" at summer as a brilliant jurist, a tireless life in 2003, when they were advocate for women's rights, camp, where she delivered introduced by Justice sermons and prayers. But that and a liberal icon with rock- Antonin Scalia. star status - the Notorious would change after her moth- RBG. Her Jewish identity, Unlikely as they were, er's death in 1950, when sev- however, proved harder to pin these friendships were an out- enteen-year-old Ruth drifted down. growth of the rabbi's work in away from Jewish ritual Buffalo. As an adjunct pro- observance. After The Guardian's obit- fessor since 1971, he taught Yet, in her own way, uary stated that she had classes that were part of the "abandoned her religion" at Ginsburg sought to synthe- SUNY Buffalo catalogue: size the values her mother the age of seventeen, there Jewish mysticism and ethics, was an immediate backlash had instilled. As a lawyer, law Chassidic philosophy, and professor, and judge, she from American Jews. They Jewish law on the undergrad- pointed to the obvious mani- championed the rights of uate level, and later in the women and minorities, a festations of the justice's law school. Jewish pride: there was a course that she acknowledged mezuzah on the door of her It was his work in the law was inspired by her experi- Supreme Court chambers; she school, and his personal ence with antisemitism dur- page 12 The Chabad Times - Rochester NY - Adar 5781 HELL’S KITCHEN DISCOVERING PERSONAL G-D sciousness. To her, all of this, Continued from page 2 My anxiety level Continued from page 7 all of Judaism, was as natural began to rise. as breathing, while to me it -trated crown. I roughly reality that the answer to the was something I had to wres- remember it was something I was still just a question is that it isn't tle with and don't really know like "You too can be happy!" fed-up “before” in enough. It isn't enough to how to stop wrestling with. I frowned and thought to the same vein of simply accept and do what One of the greatest joys I can myself, I am actually terribly needs to be done. Eventually, imagine is seeing my children unhappy, but it's still seems the acne pocked everyone gets tired; we are grow into adults who are like quite a chutzpah to hand lady in the ad. not machines. At some point, comfortable with G-d, who a guy a book that just we need to feel that reassur- trust Him and feel loved by assumes everything in his life Unfortunately, ing warmth of a parent. It Him. I checked for what felt is still in the "before" stages. I dermatology can't isn't enough to know you are like the thousandth time that wanted someone for once to yet heal the scars not alone. We need to know I had the letters and names just make an assumption that that we are valued and loved. entrusted to me, and then we a zero like me actually might on one's psyche. So what I was missing was made our way down the wet already be an “after”. path under the gray sky. concern. For once, there was something that I had at times A Chabad student then not an "Are you Jewish?" thought wasn't needed - at I shyly knocked and entered my subway car at uttered, as I have learned times thought could be filled walked in. Checking that my 42nd Street. To make room from experience to be a stan- with intellectual pursuits, or daughter was OK, I turned my for him, I quickly removed dard line in the realm of during the times I felt the attention to Psalms. Over the the food bag from my adja- introductory outreach dia- most distant, simply didn't past year or so, I had finally cent seat, allowing the logue. really think existed at all in seen, and then admitted I saw, beloved waft of snack-box reality. I found myself feeling what was missing - a rela- vapors to (as the restaurant's "Excuse me, what time something that I never tionship with G-d. I had name promises) kosher does Shabbos come in?" expected: jealousy. thought about what I would delight me. The steam tickled I hadn't yet figured on any For most of my life, I say to the Rebbe, imagining my face. As I went to scratch, sort of Shabbat observance at thought people who had this him hearing and hoping I I felt the unpleasant bump of this point in my Jewish iden- deep joy and connection were would be given a moment of yet another zit. Suffice it to tification reclamation strate- foolish. Maybe even liars. I clarity with an answer on say that eight solid weeks of gy. I was still trying to get couldn't understand what how to build this relationship fried food doesn't bode well down the fundamentals of they had so I dismissed it as with G-d. I had even written for a healthy complexion. G- I admired my kosher. Unexpectedly, while unnecessary. some of it down and held it in d only knows how my arteries contemplating my response, daughter's ease my hand, but found myself survived! the proverbial cartoon light With age comes wisdom; unable to really say anything. at least, that's the plan. I was, and lack of self- As my eyes rolled up bulb appeared to clarify my All I could do was cry. and am, incomplete. Pride, towards the heavens in self- muddled thoughts and pro- consciousness. To fear of the unknown, fear of I had, for the most part, disgust, I made eye contact vide me with an unexpected her, all of this, all rejection, fear of being fooled given up on prayer. How with Dr. Zizmore, known to jolt of excitement. kept me at a distance, just of Judaism, was as much of this struggle is root- those in the New York metro Something as transient as outside. I would watch my ed in my refusal to push area as Dr. Z, the famous der- natural as breath- my Kosher Delight snack- fellow Jews with such ease myself? Growth can be deeply matologist to the non-stars box-to-go bag gave this speak of love of G-d, being ing, while to me it uncomfortable, and often and not so rich. Granted, this young man the impression loved, the comfort they feel, was something I happens after we have been was not actually Dr. Z in per- that I was an actual partici- and an ember of envy began knocked back or wounded. son, but his happy face plas- had to wrestle with pant in our shared faith. to grow. The very personal tered on a subway advertise- If I see the hand of G-d in Never in my life had someone part of the conversion and don't really ment for his busy Fifth the existence of the Jewish asked me even anything process, I suppose, was far know how to stop Avenue clinic. people, then I must see His remotely related to Yiddish- from over. wrestling with. hand in the twists and turns Directly below Dr. Z., with- keit, and this man, an actual I was advised to study of my life. But proof of exis- in the same ad panel, was a Chabad chassid with such vis- Chassidic teachings by some- tence is not the same as proof striking example of a young ibly impressive religious cre- one I trust. I carved time out myself, I found that over the of love. For me, that will woman with terrible acne dentials, made an assumption (often well past midnight) to years I had become less con- require stepping off of reason pocked skin. Fluorescent that I might be in possession begin what I initially assumed cerned with how much hair and going beyond it, and that lighting and a lack of cosmet- of something as valuable as would be a fruitless effort. I was showing. Covering my is frightening; it will be a leap ic cover-up painfully high- candle lighting times. The learned with my husband, I hair was an afterthought and I have to take again and lighted the callous texture of ascent my neshamah took at learned by myself, and I felt not a defining feature. And I again as I struggle with my her ravenously destructive that moment sent my heart the connection begin to planned my trip back to nature. condition. The adjacent photo racing. strengthen once again, and it Brooklyn and the Ohel hoping to the right showed the oblig- I remained still and in the The encounter must have felt… really good. With each to once again feel a bit of that atory miracle of this woman's silence for a few moments been fully irrelevant for him passing week, I felt not only centeredness that I had felt. "after" look. Her transforma- with the book open before in the grand scheme of his that eternal connection grow, tion afforded her an unnatu- I approached the Ohel slowly beginning to say the hurried day, especially when I but I also seemed to suddenly rally smooth skin tone. Not more concerned about the prayers. I don't have the rela- shrugged my shoulders and notice where I had eroded, only did she have her zits new layout of the buildings tionship with G-d that I need, responded, "I'm sorry. I don't how edges that had once sandblasted off her face, but than anything else. There was and I am sometimes at a loss have a clue." But for me, it defined me as a Jew had got- she went in for the extra few a part of me that wanted the as to how to build one, but I was a confirmation of my ten a bit worn and blurred. bucks and had all of her pores easy way out - to go on believe in Him completely, spiritual progress. I walked How much of my life had surgically removed as well. autopilot and not think. To and I know our Father will be off the train feeling more tipped into the realm of the Selfishly, I didn't care about distract myself just a bit and patient with me. inspired to continue my pur- mundane at the cost of the her improved complexion. I act as though this was simply suit for meaning through a essential? Quite a lot. And so just envied her success. routine. That part of me Jewish life. As that day faded the idea of not only returning quickly crumbled. With my My anxiety level began to into Shabbat, I even felt just a to reconnect with that center- daughter at my side, I felt rise. I nervously pulled on the bit like an “after” at a time ing, calming routine, but of oddly nervous. We sat and THIS COULD brim of my cap, shading my when I sure needed it. once again covering my hair wrote our concerns, our fears, eyes from Dr. Z's pitch- more carefully came into my our questions, our requests BE YOUR woman's taunting smile. I mind. and notes of the good things focused again on my little I had been covering it with we have in our lives. booklet as the train chugged a scarf or hat, and while I can ADVERTISING towards Times Square. Its I admired my daughter's and will only speak for pages promised the secret to ease and lack of self-con- achieving happiness, but by MESSAGE just contemplating its prem- ise, I felt impossibly stuck GAVI’S PizzA TO THE against the enormity of my pressing discontent. I was still Thursdays: 4:30 - 6:30 pm just a fed-up “before” in the ENTIRE same vein of the acne pocked www.chabadrochester.com/pizza lady. Unfortunately, derma- JEWISH tology can't yet heal the scars on one's psyche. COMMUNITY! The young man sitting next to me cleared his throat with a subtle cough in prepa- CCAALLLL ration for speaking. He looked at my Kosher Delight bag and 271-0330 then up at me with polite 271-0330 THE CHABAD TIMES FFOORR We are not responsible for the Kashruth of any product or establishment advertised in DDEETTAAIILLSS The Chabad Times. The Chabad Times - Rochester NY - Adar 5781 page 13 Purim in Gross-Rosen by Pinchas Menachem Feivlovitz Tired, starved, and down- overcome G-d's chosen trodden, we Jewish prisoners nation. ‘Netzach Yisrael lo plodded into the barracks yeshaker - The eternity of where we spent a few miser- Israel will not lie.’ The bells of able hours on hard bunks freedom are already ringing before another day of back- in the distance. We will yet breaking labor. We were too live to see justice meted out exhausted to think, but when against our enemies, just like our minds wandered back to our ancestors in Shushan of times long gone, we could not old. Be strong, brothers, the help but wonder if it had all Jewish nation lives on!" been a dream. Would we ever Beads of sweat appeared live again as we once had, on his face. His lips trembled, before our parents and chil- his eyes glinted, but he said dren had been murdered, and no more. we were dropped into an unending hellish existence Then another prisoner where death seemed to be a jumped down from his bunk welcome (and inevitable) and took his place next to the Biesinitzer Grund (Goerlitz) concentration camp, a subcamp of Gross-Rosen, Poland, May 1945. reprieve? orator. Sweetly, with a voice (Photo: US Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of Teddy Znamirowski.) laden with nostalgia and It was Purim eve, but what hope, he sang the words of done!" that last night's brave per- endure, and that we all had was there for us to celebrate the blessing said after the His words were met with formers, who had gifted us the courage to keep the iden- in the German concentration Megillah reading, in which with hope and courage, would tity of those two men secret. camp of Gross-Rosen? defiant silence. we thank G-d "Who fights our give themselves up in order to Editor’s Note: The late Suddenly, one of us leaped battles and pays comeup- He got angrier and his save us from further suffer- voice became louder. "Dirty Pinchas Menachem Feivlovitz down from his small space on pance to our mortal enemies." ing. One even tried to run out was a Holocaust survivor who Jews!" he called out shrilly. "I of line to identify himself, but the bunk and began an As the rest of us absorbed fought (and was wounded) in am giving you 10 minutes to his neighbors didn't allow it. impassioned speech that will the last echoes of the tune, Israel's war of independence. identify last night's speakers. "No, no," they hissed with forever remain in my memo- the two men lithely climbed An adherent of the Gur Make no mistake about it, clenched teeth, "Stay strong. ry: back into their spots on the Chassidic group, he devoted your lives are on the line." We are all responsible for one "My fellow Jews," he called tiered bunking and silence much of his energy to chroni- another." out, "Dear brothers in suffer- reigned once again. Ten minutes passed, and no cling and telling the atrocities one uttered a word. I have no way of recalling of the Holocaust, through his ing! Today is our Purim, when In our minds, we were how long this went on, personal experiences of five we remember the miracles G- blissfully transported back to "Run, swine, run!" the because every moment felt years under Nazi rule. d did for our ancestors. He the happy Purims of years commander barked, and we like eternity. We ran with our Together with his wife and who dwells in Heaven saved past, but we knew the joy Jews began to run as fast as last strength, panting, with no fellow survivor Cipora (whom our nation from being deci- would not last. we could, while the guards mated. The enemy fell into rained down a shower of rifle air to breathe. Our tongues he met and married after lib- the pit that he himself had The following morning, the butts and whips upon our hung out, and tears mingled eration), he raised a family in dug. Today we once again block commander stormed heads and backs. with sweat on our cheeks. But Israel. At the time of his have a double-edged sword into the barrack: "Cursed no one even considered rat- passing in 2007, he left pressed against our necks. Jews!" he shouted. "Last night "Quick, quick," they shout- ting on the heroes of the pre- dozens of descendants, devot- Our enemies are trying to someone here spoke disparag- ed as rivers of blood spurted vious night. ed to Torah and Jewish life. ingly of our Führer. Tell me from our heads and our arms. destroy us, but do not allow Yes, even the prisoners of This vignette was recorded by who it was! If I do not know Our backs sagged and our feet terror into your hearts! The Gross-Rosen merited their Feivlovitz in his book, ‘Odeni who it was, you will all be ached. Haman of our day, Hitler and own Purim miracle - two mir- Zocher (I Still Recall)’. punished before the day is his lackeys, will not be able to But we had only one fear: acles, actually: That no one dropped dead from the dia- bolic run we were forced to SEE PAGE 16 FOR DETAILS

b Happy Purim b Michael M. Phillips, CPA

PTax Preparation PAccounting and Bookkeeping

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1 + 1 = A Holy One by Yitzi Hurwitz In the section of Shekalim, 10 G-dly attributes, so do we on its own - each is 10, a which is read before Purim, have these 10 attributes. And whole shekel - but together, we are told how every Jewish just as G-d connects to the they become a holy shekel. male was required to give a world with both masculine The same is true for Jewish silver half-shekel coin for the and feminine aspects (some- people. Each of us is perfect communal offerings. In times called the masculine on our own, but we are only ancient times, there were two title of Hakadosh Baruch Hu half of a holy shekel; we need currency systems: one holy and sometimes the feminine another to be whole. The Need To Hit The and one secular. A holy Shechinah), so are we divided mitzvah of loving your fellow shekel was worth double a into two genders, each with a makes you whole. G-d likes to Refresh Button Every Night secular one. unique purpose. be where there is love and by Chana Cotlar The currency the Torah unity among friends. refers to here is a holy shekel, Ever had a really hard of the unpleasant and diffi- This, of course, is also the which was 20 geira. A half of case for couples. When you day? cult is left to settle behind a holy shekel was worth 10 you in the day that has now are in a loving relationship, Like the days that leave geira, which is the value of a the two halves become one you plopping into bed at ended. A fresh start. New regular shekel. So, a half holy opportunity. The challenges, whole. In order for that to night feeling sad/unin- shekel is the same amount as happen, you have to see your spired/-frustrated by the mistakes and mess-ups do a regular shekel. not define you. Their sting is partner not as a half, but as a day's events, feeling guilty Why a half-shekel? And if whole. And then the two for some moments that were, now of the day that has passed; only the light of the a half holy shekel is a regular shekels become one holy well, suffice it to say, not shekel, why not simply shekel. When this happens, your proudest moments in lessons they contain follow you into sleep and the day require a regular shekel? G-d wants to take part in life. Our great sages tell us that your relationship, making it that lies ahead. This is similar to what the when "10 [Jewish people] are Raise your hand if you can holy. If you bring G-d in, you A dimension of the soul Maggid of Mezeritch explains together, the Shechinah - the relate. about the trumpets that G-d take your relationship to a rises above to be with G-d as Divine Presence dwells whole new level. Too bad you can't see me we sleep below. Hence, the commanded Moses to make. among them." They are not because I'm raising both my Modeh Ani prayer when we He said: "Fashion for yourself praying or learning; all they G-d wants us to connect hands. And if I had a third awake in which we express two chatzotzrot ('trumpets')." are doing is being together, with Him. But He wants us to hand, it would be raised, too. our gratitude to G-d for The word chatzotzrot could be and the Shechinah is with love each other first. divided into chatzi tzurot, We all have those days. restoring this dimension of them. Why? May Hashem bless us with our soul to us anew each which means "half forms." good and strong relationships After one such day not too The two chatzotzrot symbol- Because we have a morning. It basks in the holy neshamah (soul) that is a part - with our friends, spouses, long ago, I was saying the spiritual light above and then ize that G-d and the Jewish and ultimately, with Him. Our Shema, as I do every night people are, so to speak, two of G-d, we each carry the descends back to our bodies, Shechinah with us. Now, unity and love will surely before retiring to bed. It is recharged, refreshed and with half-forms, which complete bring us to the ultimate and also a time for personal self- each other. when 10 of us are together, a renewed sense of purpose the Shechinah shines, regard- open relationship with G-d reflection. A time to do a to fulfill its G-dly mission In the same sense, every that we yearn for with the cheshbon hanefesh, an less of what we are doing. I here on Earth through Torah Jew is like a half, and we can just imagine that adding coming of Moshiach. The accounting of one's day, of and mitzvot. become whole through con- time has come. both the good and the not- davening and learning Torah I like to keep a Post-It note necting with other half- to the gathering can make the so-good, resolving to shekels - our fellow Jews. improve and grow in the near my bed with a list of Shechinah shine even some of the areas in which I brighter. Dedicated to my wife, Dina days that lie ahead. How does this work? Hurwitz, my other half- am currently working to When a Jew connects with And then it hit me, simple improve and grow. (I love G-d created us in His shekel, who has been a rock yet profound: How fortunate image. Kabbalistic teaching G-d, you have both halves of throughout my difficult battle lists and visual aids!) I try to the form. Each half is a whole we are that G-d, in His use these quiet moments at explains that just as He has with ALS. abounding kindness, wove the end of each day to reflect the institution of nightly on where I stand in each of sleep into the fabric of our these areas and how I'd like We gratefully acknowledge the members of daily lives. You see, G-d to take the next baby step could have just as easily cre- towards growth in the day The Chabad Lechaim Legacy Society ated us with consistently ahead. charged batteries (the kind of batteries my kids wish their I feel uplifted and for your commitment to include toys had). But He created us immensely grateful as this Chabad Lubavitch of Rochester in your estate plans. with the need to recharge our thought percolates within my batteries each night, and with mind and heart. The Grand Your legacy gift will help us continue to successfully transmit that comes the ability to hit Master and Creator of our the refresh button every sin- world designed our lives - if our sacred heritage to the Jew of today, gle day. we are aware and in tune to its message - in a way that thereby ensuring a Jewish tomorrow. The gift of renewal. allows us to rise above guilt, The gift of new begin- sadness and frustration, so May G-d bless you with all good things nings. that we would not wallow in these emotions for too long. and may others follow your shining example! Each and every day. Nightfall beckons us to enter A time to pause, reflect on the cocoon of sleep, commit- the day's events, take stock of ted to emerging the bright Steven & Olga Rachelle Gruber Esther Miller which areas in your life need and beautiful butterfly that Susannah-Bann Richard A. Kaplan Linda Reynolds improvement and growth, we are at our core. Ready to and then take those lessons soar and fly and greet tomor- Norman Blaustein obm Dr. Dennis Kessler Rachel Rosen with you as you enter into a row. peaceful sleep. The sediment Josephine & Simon Larry & Karen Dr. Regina Smolyak Braitman Kessler Dr. Burton Spiller obm Michael & Joany Richard & Pamela Jeff & Lyn Springut Cooper Kroll Len & Anna Stein Howard & Leslie Maurice Landesberg Dr. Leon Szmedra Crane Dr. Bartram & Joan Pesach D. Usdane Robert David Levenson Michelle Ventimiglia Hon. Mark Eisenberg Kate Lipsky Sheila Weinbach Ronald Furman Dr. Joseph & Susan Howard Weiss Phillip Garver obm Mann Dr. Julian Yudelson Larry & Beverly Glass William & Helen 22 Anonymous Donors Jonathan Goldberg Merzel Dr. David & Sorina Andrea Miller Goldstein Carolyn Miller The Chabad Times - Rochester NY - Adar 5781 page 15

SPREADING CHANUKAH LIGHT ACROSS MENORAH COUNTY page 16 The Chabad Times - Rochester NY - Adar 5781

Summer 2021