1 CROWN HEIGHTS Newspaper ~September 26, 2008 כאן צוה ה’ את הברכה CommunityNewspaper

פרשת האזינו | יא' תשרי , תשס”ח | בס”ד weekly vOL. i | NO 46 October 10, 2008 | Tishrei 11, 5768

Hachossid R eb Horav Hachossid Reb Boruch Shifrin Eliyohu Arye The KGB entered the house and found receipts for Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim, Leib Gross clear evidence that Reb Boruch was ”Rabbi Gross helped involved in yeshiva activities. Page 7 my mother and spared me energy and time. In his merit I had more time to help THE REBBE'S OWN additional people.” UNITED NATIONS Pages 4-5 PAGE 11

Beis Din of Crown Heights 390A Kingston Avenue, Brooklyn, NY Tel- 718~604~8000 Fax: 718~771~6000 Rabbi A. Osdoba: ❖ Monday to Thursday 10:30AM - 11:30AM at 390A Kingston Ave. ☎Tel. 718-604-8000 ext.37 or 718-604-0770 Sunday-Thursday 9:30 PM-11:00PM ~Friday 2:30PM-4:30 PM ☎Tel. (718) - 771-8737 Rabbi Y. Heller is available daily 10:30 to 11:30am ~ 2:00pm to 3:00pm at 788 Eastern Parkway # 210 718~604~8827 ❖ & after 8:00pm 718~756~4632 Rabbi Y. Schwei, 4:00pm to 9:00pm ❖ 718~604~8000 ext 36 Rabbi Y. Raitport is available by appointment. ☎ 718~604~8000 ext 39 ☎ Rabbi Y. Zirkind: 718~604~8000 ext 39 Erev Shabbos Motzoei Shabbos Rabbi S. Segal: ☎ 718~604~8000 ext 39 ❖ Sun ~Thu 5:30pm -9:00pm or ☎718 -360-7110 Rabbi Bluming is available Sunday - Thursday, 3 -4:00pm at 472 Malebone St. ☎ 718 - 778-1679 Rabbi Y. Osdoba ☎718~604~8000 ext 38 ❖ Sun~Thu: 10:0am -11:30am ~ Fri 10:am - 1:00 pm or 6:05 6:52 ☎ 718 -604-0770 Gut Shabbos Rabbi S. Chirik: ☎ 718~604~8000 ext 38 ❖ Sun~Thu: 5:00pm to 9:00pm 2 CROWN HEIGHTS Newspaper ~September 26, 2008

The Vaad Hakohol

Holiday Date Activity Sukkot Eve Monday • Prepare a candle or flame that will be able to burn safely for more than 24 hours. (For ex- October 13 ample: a Yahrzeit candle. This will be used to light the Yom Tov Candles on Tuesday night). • Light Yom Tov Candles -- (6:00pm). • After lighting the candles, recite: Blessing for Yom Tov and Shehecheyonu • Bo-ruch A-toh Ado-noi E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ho-olom A-sher Ki-de-sho-nu Be-mitz-vo-sov Ve-tzi-vo-nu Le-had-lik Ner Shel Yom Tov. • Bo-ruch A-toh Ado-noi E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ho-olom She-heche-yo-nu Ve-ki-yi-mo-nu Ve- higi-o-nu Liz-man Ha-zeh. First day Tuesday • Shake the four kinds; We recite the blessings: • Light Yom Tov Candles after nightfall, from a of Sukkos October 14 pre-existing flame (6:59pm). • After lighting the candles, recite: Blessing for Yom Tov and Shehecheyonu Second day Wednesday • Shake the four kinds. October 15 • Yom Tov ends after nightfall (6:57). Chol HaMoed - Intermediate Days Thursday - Monday, October 16 - October 20 1st day Thursday • We do not put on Tefilin today. Chol October 16 • Shake the four kinds. Hamoed • Special additional prayer is said in the morn- ing - Hallel, Hoshaanos, Musaf for Sukkot. 2nd day Friday • We do not put on Tefilin today. Chol October 17 • Shake the four kinds. Hamoed • Special additional prayer is said in the morn- ing - Hallel, Hoshaanos, Musaf for Sukkot. • Light Shabbos Candles 18 minutes before Sunset (5:54pm). • After lighting the candles, recite: • Blessing for Shabbos

3rd day Saturday • Special additional prayer is said in the morn- Chol Hamoed October 18 ing - Hallel, Musaf for Sukkot. 4th day Sunday • We do not put on Tefilin today. Chol October 19 • Shake the four kinds. Hamoed • Special additional prayer is said in the morn- ing - Hallel, Hoshaanos, Musaf for Sukkot. • After midnight we recite the entire Psalms (Tehilim). Afterwards we eat an apple dipped in honey. From: Lubavitch Youth Organization L'CHaimWeekly.com

Get professional help in choosing a career A new and innovative program specifi- Jewish community is making it possible new program is called the Crown to find out more about this program. cally designed for the Crown Heights for residents to get professional help Heights Career Assessment Program, Not only will it help you select the best in choosing a career, get the necessary or CH-CAP. training for you, but will help you pay training for the career they select and for it, it will help you prepare for the Every detail of the CH-CAP program Newspaper access help in paying the tuition, all issues that face Orthodox Jews in the has been specifically designed for suit- Community towards helping people secure a job. workplace, improve your interviewing ability to the community it is meant skills, and help you jump-start your 392 Kingston Avenue Even before this program got its official to serve. It shows sensitivity to the career. Brooklyn, NY 11225 start, community members who had special needs of Anash in such areas [email protected] heard about it via the Crown Heights as scheduling and help in selecting The benefits of this program are open Published & edited weekly by the Vaad Hakohol JCC applied for the financial and train- suitable career tracks. The program to all the Anash residents of Crown of Crown Heights. ing assistance and were helped. Two also offers help with paying the tuition Heights, although the primary targets Moshe Rubashkin, Rosh Hakohol are receiving computer training; others for Certificate Training Programs, of the program are recent graduates of Dr. Tzvi (Harvey) Lang, Chairman were helped with finding job openings. granting up to 2/3 of the tuition bill the Kolels, Yeshivas, and Seminaries Rabbi Plotkin, Secretary Yet another young woman was helped for each course of study. This can be who are seeking a career path other Layout: SimplyUnique ([email protected]) to explore training necessary to pursue several thousand dollars per applicant, than shlichus. All material in this paper has been copyrighted. It is the exclusive property of this newspaper, unless the vocation that she “loved since I was so in the large families common among The CH-CAP program is being oper- otherwise attributed., and cannot be reproduced a little kid”, and to write a resume and Chassidim, this is a very great incentive without the consent of the publisher. ated from F.E.G.S Health and Human cover letter. for parents to encourage their children Composition responsibility: This newspaper will not Services System headquarters located at to gain this help. be liable for errors appearing in advertising, beyond Administered by F.E.G.S Health and 80 Van Dam Street in lower Manhattan. the cost of the space occupied by the error. Advertiser assumes responsibility for errors in telephone orders. Human Services System, which has Whether you are looking for help in The program can be reached via e-mail All advertisement designed and prepared by the CH nearly 75 years of experience in provid- deciding on a career path or in getting at [email protected] or by Community Newspaper are the property of the newspaper and cannot be reproduced without the ing career assessment, career guidance, training for a career that you are already telephone at 212.524.1728. F.E.G.S is a consent of the publisher training, and placement services, the familiar with, it is well worth your time beneficiary of UJA-Federation of NY. September 26, 2008 ~ crOWN heights Newspaper 3

The Rebbe's Sicha Parshas Haazinu

HEAVEN AND EARTH Hora’ah, “teaching.”’ From the above Heaven symbolizes the “heavenly,” purifying the surrounding world; verse it would seem that Torah instructs spiritual study of Torah. Earth rep- his main enjoyment and enthusiasm Reprinted from The Thought Of The every person to be “close to heaven and resents the down-to-earth practical should be in learning Torah. He must, Week far from earth.” Yet, sur­prisingly, we precepts — the Mitzvos6 —which of course, observe the Mitzvos — and By Rabbi YM .Kagan OBM find thatY eshayahu (Isaiah) exclaimed concern and involve the material; with warmth and vitality —but only as Hear oh ye heavens and give ear ye when a person gives charity (Tzedaka), much as required by Torah-law; he is to Give ear oh ye heavens (Ha’azinu) and earth in exact reverse of the above for example, he dedicates his ‘earthly’ be “far from the earth.” Then, later, after I will speak, and let the earth hear the verse, and the Midrash explains that material gain to a nobler, more spiritual having acquired this sense of direc­tion, sayings of my mouth.’ With these words Yeshayahu was “far from heaven and purpose. Each of these two — Torah- he must come to recognize that “Not Sidra Ha’azinu begins. close to the earth.” If Isaiah, the greatest study and Mitzvos-observance--has its the study, but the imple­mentation, is The Midrash comments that since of the prophets, was unable to reach a own unique, great quality. Attach­ment the main thing.”’ The ultimate purpose Moses was “close to the heavens” he “closeness” to heaven and “distance” and communion of the soul with G-d of his crea­tion upon this physical earth said to them Ha’azinu, “Give ear,” an from earth and remained “far from comes chiefly through Torah-study.’ is to make of the world a “habitation” expression indicating that the listener heaven and close to the earth,” then Refining and spiritualizing the physi- for G-d. is close; to the earth, however, he said how is the average person expected by cal world to render it a fit “habitation” Isaiah, having used the Torah-guidance “hear,” a word denoting that the lis­tener the Torah to attain such a level? And if for the Al-mighty is achieved mainly of Moses as an infusion of strength is at a distance — for Moses was “far we should succeed in showing how it through observing the Mitzvos. to reach the level of “close to heaven from the earth.” is possible for every individual to reach In the first stages of one’s service of and far from earth,” was then able to such a level then the question will be, Torah provides directive and guid­ G-d, one must be “close to heaven and advance to an even higher level of “close why was Yeshayahu (Isaiah) not able ance for every individual; the word far from earth.” The main thrust of his to earth and far from heaven to achieve this level? Torah itself comes from the expres­sion efforts should not at first be towards

Adapted from Shmais Fishel & Basya Goldberg - C H Engagements Mazal Tov! Eliyahu & Dassi Kramer - Makeevka, Ukraine Chezky Altein (Crown Heights) to Levi Teitelbaum (Miami Beach, FL) to Mendy & Sarale Chanah'le Sossonko (Miami, FL) Mordechai & Chaya Klein Sara Sapir (Atlanta, GA) Goldstein - New Zealand - Moscow, Russia Shimon Emlen (NY, NY) to Levi Wolvovsky (Crown Heights) to Yishai & Efrat Kwin - Kfar Chabad Meira Kaner (Baltimore, MD) Yehoshua & Menucha Lavner Sonia Hazan (Milan, Italy) Yisroel & Chanie Kahn - London, UK – Toronto, Ontario Eli Feiglin (Melbourne, Australia) to Shmulie Zirkind (Montreal, Canada) to Batsheva Masinter (Johannesburg, S A) Osher & Mussy Litzman – Shmully & Nechoma Chanie Altein (Montreal, Canada) Seoul, South Korea Dina Raskin – C. H Nochi Goldshmid (Crown Heights) to Miriam Friedman (Montreal, Canada) Weddings Yeruchem & Chanie Levilev - C H Dovid & Mirel Weinbaum C. H Mendy Blau (Crown Heights) to Shneur Goodman (Kfar Chabad) to Yossi & Luba Lipsker - Moscow, Russia Mendy & Frumie Weitman - C. H. Sara'le Kravitsky (Crown Heights) Rochel Lieblich (Crown Heights) Shaul & Sarah Mirviss - Morristown, NJ Sruli & Ellana Bard-Wigdor - C H Yanky Bruk (Crown Heights) to Levi Itkin (Scranton, PA) to Rivky Cohen (Monsey, NY) Aaron & Julia Singer - Chicago, IL Haguy & Chanah Rivkah Mushki Morozow (Crown Heights) Yakovov - Crown Heights Bentzy Geisinsky (Crown Heights) Berry & Chenchie Schmukler - C H Chaim Dovid Jenkelowitz (CH / Postville) to Mussia Arnov (Paris, France) Dovid & Chana Raizel Zaklikowski – to Rivky Wachtel (Toronto, Ontario) Boruch & Chaya Crown Heights Moshe Menachem Mendel Sussman - Louisville, KY Moshe Katzburg (Queens, NY / CH) to Hirschhorn (NY, NY) to Zohara Perla Ochayoun (Paris, France / Israel) Mordechai & Dana Sogomonian - C H Births – Twins Mechaly (Montreal, Canada) Shua & Elkie Piekarski – TWIN Chaim Kohan (Buenos Aires) to Malky Zevy & Miriam Tenenbaum - C H BOYS!! - Crown Heights Orbach (Buenos Aires, Argentina) Births – Boys Yair & Chanie Yelin - S. Diego, CA Nati & Sara Abicasis - Crown Heights Avi & Mina Richler – TWIN Moishy Kozlovsky (Crown Heights/Israel) GIRLS!! - Gloucester County, NJ to Chani Rotter K( far Chabad) Levi & Yudit Drutz - Moscow, Russia Births – Girls Sholem & Chanie Bacher – Shimon & Margula Roumani - a Moshe Lazoros (Framingham, MA) to Chaim & Leora Budd – Scottsdale, AZ Randburg, South Africa boy! & a girl! - Crown Heights Libby Weinberger (Antwerp, Belgium) Yosef & Chani Brikman - C. H Levy & Maryasha Djian Crown Heights Chaim Rosenfeld (Tzfas) to UPSHERNISH Eli & Rochel Deitsch - C H Mussia Shur (Jerusalem) Levy & Beila Edelman - Paris, France Michoel Baruch Sheyrif – Yitzy & Draiza Engel - Denver, CO Chicago, IL Shlomo Simons (NY, NY) to Chana Rivka Nachy & Naomi Eisenerg – Monsey, NY Meyers (Crown Heights) Menachem Mendel & Nechama Levi Tenenbaum - Gurnee, IL Moshe & Adena Feiglin Dina Feller - West S. Paul, MN Aharon Somerville (Baltimore, MD) to Melbourne, AU Pinchus Meir Niyazov - C H Marva Perets (Crown Heights) Yehuda & Liba Goldman - Teaneck, NJ Dovid & Sari Gornstein - S. Paulo, Brazil Schneur Zalman Muller - Ilford, UK

CORRECTON The Vov Tishrei article (of previous issue) was reprinted from A Day To Recall A Day To Remember by Rabbi SB Avtzon

4 CROWN HEIGHTS Newspaper ~September 26, 2008 Our Heroes

Hachossid Reb Eliyohu Arye Leib Gross 1930-Shmini Atzeres 1994 was not feeling well. When Reb Elye Yiddishkeit, as well as the Jews living returned to 770 to say Tehilim, he saw in remote locations. Reb Elye went on By Rabbi Michoel Seligson Reb Yochanon Gordon come down the Merkos Shlichus for several summers. Hachossid Reb Elye Arye Leib Gross steps with tears in his eyes. He said, He established contacts which he was born on the 29th of Cheshvan “M’ken shoin zogen yenem tehilim’, we maintained over the years. 5691/1930 to Reb Yosef and Tzi- can now say the real Tehillim. Mivtza Lulov pora Rochel Chaya in Scranton, Film Footage of Yud Shvat Pennsylvania. During Tishrei 5714/ 1953, the Rebbe A few months after Yud Shvat, one initiated a campaign for chassidim to There were not many centers of religious of the bochurim showed the Rebbe, make their rounds with lulav and esrog Jews in those years and few yeshivos photographs of the of the Previous and offer other Jews the opportunity outside of New York. Reb Elye’s mother, Rebbe’s levaya. After theR ebbe viewed to make the blessing over them. This a descendent of the prominent Jerusa- the pictures, he asked if there were any was one of the Rebbe’s first campaigns lem Eisenbach family, insisted that her photos that had been taken at the cem- and was later referred to as “Mivtza son should receive a Jewish education in etery and if there was any film footage. Lulov”. Reb Elye would come to 770, an authentic Jewish atmosphere. After two years, it became known that and before and after Seudas Yom Tov, Mrs. Gross did not know where to send Reb Elye filmed the levaya. he and Reb Berel Junik would stand for her son. By divine providence Rabbi hours directing chassidim to nursing Reb Elye arranged for the movie to be Meir Greenberg OBM, the Rav of homes, hospitals, parks, and old age brought to the Rebbe. TheR ebbe asked Peterson, New Jersey, came to Scranton homes. Reb Elye continued this custom to view the movie after theY echidusen and met Mrs. Gross. He suggested that the rest of his life. of a designated evening had concluded. she send her son Elye and his brother with her son, the Rebbe. After several Reb Elye and Reb Moshe Groner His last year, Reb Elye was hospitalized Dov Ber to Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim days, the Rebbetzin relayed the Rebbe’s obtained a movie projector and entered in Montefiore Hospital in the Bronx in Brooklyn. Mrs. Gross accepted this response, which was that Chabad the Rebbe’s room. TheR ebbe closed the during Sukkos. He asked the bochurim suggestion and the children were sent chassidim have different customs from ceiling light and opened the small light who were sent to blow shofar for him, to the Lubavitch Yeshiva. Polishe Chassidim and that they don’t behind his desk. TheR ebbe viewed the to also make sure to blow shofar for all The boys were successful in their studies consider such collections significant. levaya with extreme emotion, crying, the other Jewish patients. and eventually the entire family moved Instead, the Rebbetzin gave Reb Elye he stood with his eyes glued to the The electricity in the hospital failed to Lincoln Place in Crown Heights to the first print of the Tanya published screen. and the hospital tapped into backup be near their children. in the United States. Reb Elye and After the film ended, theR ebbe said to power sources. This was at the exact his family may they live and be well In 1942, when the Previous Rebbe Reb Moshe, “If you don’t mind, there time that Reb Elye would normally cherished this wonderful gift. visited Chicago for a few weeks, Reb is an additional film at the bottom of have been working on Mivtza Lulav. Elye was among the bochurim that R eb Elye was encouraged by his mash- the book case.” The second film was of Reb Elye saw this as a sign that he did accompanied the Previous Rebbe on pia, Reb Yisroel Jacobson, to maintain the Previous Rebbe’s first visit to the not belong in the hospital. Instead, he his trip. In 1945 Reb Elye and ten a diary of events that took place with United States in late 1929. At a certain should have been in front of 770, doing other bochurim went to study in the the Previous Rebbe and later the Rebbe. point, the Rebbe added, “Now we will what he did throughout all the years yeshiva in Chicago. The Rosh Yeshiva This diary, which Reb Elye started in see Reb Itche Masmid [Rabbi Yitzchok sending bochurim and yungeleit on was Rabbi Avrohom Herschberg OBM, 1949 was the basis of information on Gorowitz] chazering a Maamor and Mivzta Lulov. the former chief rabbi of Mexico, and the early years of the Rebbe’s nesius. then start dancing.” Reb Elye is Married the mashpia was Rabbi Yosef Weinberg It was so comprehensive and detailed Merkos Shlichus Shlita. that it has been a primary source for Reb Elye married Miss Sara Fayge authors and researchers. Reb Elye also Reb Elye, American born and well Rosenbloom in 1954. Their wedding In 1947, the Gross family merited to transcribed the Rebbe’s Sichos from the versed in the English language, involved was the first wedding in the city of Mon- an honorable neighbor. TheR ebbetzin early years of the Rebbe’s nesius and himself in spreading Chassidus. His treal Canada to have a mechitza, gen- Chana, the Rebbe’s mother, arrived published many years later. background and command of the erating much nachas to the Rebbe. The on the 28th of Sivan from France and English language placed him at the Rosenbloom family was known for their moved into an apartment on the second One of Reb Elye’s jobs at that time was forefront of chassidim involved at that uncompromising commitment to Torah floor of their building. to teach and prepare children for their time in spiritual public affairs, spread- and Mitzvos. Miss Rosenbloom’s father, Bar Mitzva. Reb Elye was on Eastern Over the course of the next few years ing Torah and Chassidus. Reb Nota Zev, arrived in Montreal in Parkway at 7:50 A.M. on Yud Shvat until 1951, Reb Elye Gross merited to 1918. He genuinely fulfilledT orah and 1950, Shabbos parshas Bo, on his way Merkos shlichus was a project that assist the Rebbetzin with everything, Mitzvos, at a time when doing so was to a meeting in shul with the Bar Mitzva the Previous Rebbe initiated in 1948. from shopping, to managing her check- considered self-sacrifice, because of the boys. He saw Reb Yochanon Gordon Bochurim from 770 would dedicate a book, and paying her bills. During his very secular environment and lack of who instructed him to immediately call few weeks of their summer vacation visits to the Rebbetzin, quite often he observant Jews. a doctor, because the Previous Rebbe visiting cities and towns to strengthen would meet the Rebbe. At those times, Reb Nota would send Maamod to the Reb Elye would try to leave the house Previous Rebbe in Europe, funds for in order that the Rebbe should have the Rebbe’s personal use. When the private time with his mother. Previous Rebbe sent nine bochurim On one occasion the Rebbetzin told to Montreal to start the Lubavitch Reb Elye, “I would like to thank you Yeshiva, Reb Nota helped them to get for all your help and reimburse you for established. He also sent his daughters your work”. Reb Elye responded that he to Bais Rivka when it was established by did not want any payment, and on the the Previous Rebbe in Montreal, they contrary this was a great merit for him. were among the first students. TheR ebbetzin insisted that she wanted The Rebbe Would Wait to Begin to pay him and added that if he refused Hakofos payment, “I will not be able to use your help any longer”. When Reb Elye heard After his wedding, Reb Elye served as this, he decided to reach a compromise the Rav in the Yeshiva Torah M’Tzion with the Rebbetzin. He told the Reb- Shul in Brownsville. Over the years, on betzin that she could reward him with the evening of Simchas Torah, chas- clothing of the Rebbe’s that was no sidim would go on tahalucha visiting longer being worn. The Rebbetzin different shuls throughout the city Shlichus in Ohio in 1951 - replied that she would need to check to instill joy in the congregants dur- from R to L Rabbis D. Raskin, Mendelowitz, Gross, Wilansky September 26, 2008 ~ crOWN heights Newspaper 5

ing Hakofos. The residing in Crown Heights, eliminating Rebbe would wait the necessity of going to the hospital to until they returned enroll in WIC. from Reb Elye’s In 1979, the Shah was exiled from Iran, shul to begin his and a change in government took place. hakofos. Thousands of children were sent out of One year the Rebbe Iran to the United States, and settled asked, “ W here in Crown Heights. Reb Elye devoted are the bochurim himself to the rescue of these children who went to Rabbi and raised most of the funding for the Gross’s Shul?” organization taking care of them. The bochurim All of these activities contributed answered that greatly to the blossoming of the shec- they had already huna of which the Rebbe spoke and in returned from which he invested so much, and to the hakofos. TheR ebbe growth of its mosdos. asked, “Where is Rabbi Gross?” They The Rebbe once said of Reb Elye, “An answered that he emeser feiner yungerman”, a true fine was on his way to young man. Crown Heights. In summing up his connection with the The bochurim then Rebbe, the family related two interest- went out to Eastern ing observations. Reb Elye came to Parkway to wait for Lubavitch on Hoshana Raba and was him. When they Receiving an Honor at a breakfast for the Brooklyn Jewish Hospital with Rabbi nifter the next day onS hmini Atzeres, saw him in the distance they informed ZS Dworkin many years later; thereby completing him that the Rebbe was waiting for him. a Chaplin. Dr. Ditchek excused him- would you stop knocking because he his life cycle of accomplishments. Reb Leibel Bistrizky and Reb Mendel self to the Rebbe for skipping the line did not open the door after the first Greenbaum quickly carried him up to In addition, the kiruvim that Reb Elye of people waiting for dollars. TheR ebbe knock?” the Rebbe’s bimah and then the Rebbe merited to receive from the Rebbe told Dr. Ditchek,”Rabbi Gross helped started the hakofos. Crown Heights Mosdos numerous times over the course of the my mother and spared me energy and years, were mainly during the Yom Tov On one occasion in 1953, the Rebbe time. In his merit I had more time to Reb Elye dedicated his life for the of Shmini Atzeres. was reciting the blessing over the new help additional people”. benefit of the public. This expressed moon, Kidush Levana. TheR ebbe asked itself in many functions and various In the last years of his life, although he In 1960, Reb Elye’s home was robbed Reb Elye where his coat was. Reb Elye mosdos. had not completed a full life span, Reb and all the coins and dollars that he had left to get his coat. He walked calmly, Elye became ill, suffering greatly. On received from the Previous Rebbe and In the 1940’s, the Released Time pro- assuming that he had no reason to rush Shmini Atzeres, while in California the Rebbe were stolen. Reb Elye was gram was founded under the auspices and that by the time that he returned, he visiting his family, he was nifter. heartbroken. He entered the Rebbe’s of Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch and would have already missed the chance room in Yechidus and told him about NCFJE. This program taught public He left his wife, Mrs.S ara Fayge Gross to recite the blessing with the Rebbe. the robbery. The Rebbe gave him a school children about Judaism for one of Crown Heights; his daughter, Mrs. When he returned, he was shocked to coin and said, “This coin will serve as hour a week. Reb Elye, as an American Rivka Ellinson, the wife of Reb Alex of find that the Rebbe was waiting for a replacement for all the coins given boy, helped with the establishment of Crown Heights/England; his son, Reb him. until now.” this mosad and involved himself in Avrohom Nochum Gross of Crown Over the course of decades of spreading running the program. Heights; his daughter, Mrs. Raizel T. Lubavitch Yeshiva & Bais Rivka Yiddishkeit, Reb Elye would encounter Edelman, the wife of Hatomim Reb In 1969, during the Farbrengen on the people from many different communi- For many years Reb Elye was involved Yosef Yitzchok of Crown Heights; his last day of Pesach, the Rebbe spoke ties. He had a radio program geared in chinuch. He contributed much in son, Reb Nota Zev of LA, California; about strengthening the shechuna of towards young students whom he would this field at a time when there were not his son, Reb Itzchok Sholom Dovber of Crown Heights. The next year, the regularly bring to the Rebbe. In the first many Jewish schools in existence in the Crown Heights; and grandchildren and Crown Heights Jewish Community years of the Rebbe’s nesius, when Reb United States. Reb Elye established a great-grandchildren; descendents who Council was established. Reb Elye Elye brought students the Rebbe, the talmud torah and also raised funds for follow in his ways, involved in public served as the Community Council Rebbe requested that Reb Elye should the Lubavitch Yeshiva. He was involved affairs, and in the study of Torah and executive director from 1974 through translate. The Rebbe would speak for in founding Bais Rivka and served as the fulfillment of Mitzvos. 1982 and contributed much to the a few moments and then wait for Reb its principal for a short time when it community. Yehi Zichro Boruch! May Hachossid Elye to translate his words into English. was located on Stone Avenue, and ran Reb Elye, a people’s person who com- TheR ebbe then continued speaking for its day camp. Later, for many years he Among his accomplishments was the mitted himself to public service, who twenty minutes without a break. Reb raised funds for Bais Rivka. establishment of a government funded was among the first chassidim to spread Elye attempted to translate theR ebbe’s office for Small Business Loans. The Rebbe once told him, after he chassidus among young American words, but was unable to keep up with shared how difficult it was to raise Art Jewry, who dedicated himself to raise the Rebbe’s pace. TheR ebbe gave him money, that he should constantly keep funds for the Rebbe’s mosdos and estab- a broad smile and repeated his words in Reb Elye founded the Chassidic Art in mind that the Previous Rebbe always lished numerous unique projects for the English. This was the first time that the Gallery on Kingston Avenue in the went along with him. benefit of theS hechuna residents, and Rebbe spoke English in public. 1970’s, which contributes until this very who placed a great stress on supplying Reb Elye once had a problem. He wrote day to Chabad culture. People from Over the years, the Rebbe acknowl- single women with parnossa; inspire several times to the Rebbe but did not many different backgrounds visited the edged his appreciation for Reb Elye’s us to dedicate ourselves to satisfy the receive a response. When he went into exhibitions over the years. assistance to the Rebbetzin Chana. physical and spiritual needs of our Yechidus with the Rebbe, he asked the The Rebbe told Reb Elye’s family that Medical Aid needy Jewish brethren. Rebbe if he should continue writing his door would always be open to them about this problem, since the Rebbe Reb Elye established a medical clinic We should speedily witness “The ones in times of need. had not responded. on Albany Avenue, affiliated with who dwell in the dust will awaken and “He spared me energy and time” Brooklyn Jewish Hospital, that was rejoice” with Hachossid Reb Elye Gross TheR ebbe replied, “If you are standing used by Crown Heights residents among them. One Sunday during the distribution at the threshold of an entrance and for many years. He also established of dollars, Reb Elye introduced Dr. are knocking on the door and you are a WIC center in Crown Heights, to Stuart Ditchek, a physician whom he [definitely] sure that there is a person assist families and children. This knew from the hospital where he was present on the other side of the door, was of great benefit for young women 6 CROWN HEIGHTS Newspaper ~September 26, 2008 Shiduchim Needle in a Haystack and caring, and respecting each other. It be forged. They are still two separate found in your partner, try to discover By Sarah Junik is building a life together, a unit of family people who are deciding if this is a fit why are you attracted to him/her.W hat and home. companion for the journey ahead. How is causing this attraction?I s it because Love at first sight can we even consider that at this point you absolutely do not know yourself The love that you feel as a young bride is Part II there should be love? and anyone who helped you draw up only the beginning of real love. It is through the list does not know you either? Or What is the bond we look for in mar- the small, everyday acts of living together So what is it that we can reasonably maybe the reason you are attracted to riage? Are we looking for a partnership that love flourishes and grows. And so, expect at this point? this person is not for the right reason? bond? Two distinct individuals that the love you feel after five or ten years is a One word of caution to the ladies: (S/he comes from a wealthy family, is go about their lives independently gradual strengthening of bonds. As women we are generally prone to über popular and you wish to be part and only do things together when it As two lives unite to form one, with time, underestimate ourselves, our capa- of the spotlight, is physically appealing concerns their partnership? Of course one reaches a point where each partner bilities, our achievements. (I wrote and all you see is the physical beauty… not! Do we look to join with another can no longer visualize life without his generally because some of us may not etc.) It is important to discuss this with the same way we would join a group mate by his side. find this true, but a vast majority will your parents or shadchan or mashpia, to traveling to the same destination as (From a private Yechidus) agree with it) take advice from others who are not as ours or engaged in the same goals as “nogea b’dovor” as you are. Are those ours? Neither of these situations seem Chazal bring a When going out, items on your list suddenly expendable? to represent what the Torah tells us in moshol, which we get the undi- Find out why and what has taken their Bereishis (2:24) “Al kein ya’azav ish es I feel is appro- vided attention place. aviv ve es imo vedavak beishto vahayu priate although of another per- levasar echad.” “Therefore a man shall not u s u a l l y son. Especially if If you find that you like your partner and leave his father and mother and cling used in this we like that per- enjoy his/her company, think through to his wife and be one.” context: When son after going what is it that makes you like him/her. a neshama in out a few times, What are the qualities you admire and The Rebbe writes: shamayim is the appreciation what are the habits or even qualities you ... Marriage is not only the beginning shown how for our ideas are not so enthusiastic about. of a partnership but the beginning of a hard it was to and ourselves is Make sure you are not blind to the other union, where both parties truly become overcome a very heady. It is person. Stay focused and aware of what one, united for life. certain yetzer a positive side is it that attracts you to this person. If (From a letter of the Rebbe, dated 8 hara (tempta- to the shidduch you cannot think of a single thing that Tishrei, 5722) tion) which he date, just do not bothers you about the other person, failed at, he will get carried away The essential quality and substance of a go out some more. Do not go in this be shown that by this feeling proper marriage is "cleaving to one's wife expecting this person to be perfect, no it was as easy as of approval and and becoming one flesh," which is to say, one is. It is a rude awakening when you stepping across name it some- that one is in a constant state of acquisi- are married to see a chisaron in your a thin stream. thing else. tion and cleaving - rebuffing anything and partner which you cannot tolerate. DO When he will everything that leads to and causes the I f y o u a r e not expect to be able to change him or be shown how cessation of this cleaving and unity. attracted to your her. Whatever little or big annoyances hard it was to (Likkutei Sichos, Vol. XXXIV, p. 138) partner in the there are, notice them and make peace overcome a (Eternal Joy Vol 2) shidduch date, with them as everyone has idiosyncra- yetzer hara that go back and think about that list you sies that can drive others crazy. Just Chazal tell us how this unity is to be: he did conquer, he will be shown a originally made. Now think about your make sure you know what those are it is just like the heart and the brain of mountain. partner. Does s/he have any of the items while you are still dating. a person; they are not two individuals Sometimes we feel that to compromise you thought so essential then? Do not reaching and working together for dif- Any constructive comment is welcomed our “principles” for the sake of shalom expect to find every item on your list ferent goals. They are two components by the editor. Write to CHP5768 @ bayis is like climbing a mountain, but in your prospective spouse, but some, of the same body. When I drop some- gmail.com or directly to the author at after it is done, it feels like it was actually even if only 2 or 3, should be there. If thing with my right hand, my left hand [email protected] a very simple thing. Although we do not none of the things you termed musts are will not get upset at my right hand! do things for the reward we will get, There is a beautiful story which illus- that mountain we first imagine is the If there is a topic I have not discussed on the subject of trates this point: reward we get at the end. Although it shidduchim or if you have a question, feel free to write was not hard to do, it will be considered Reb Arye Levine known as "the Tzad- as if we scaled Everest. me at [email protected], and I will address the dik of Jerusalem” once took his wife to topic in a future issue. the doctor. When he got to the clinic, From Eternal Joy vol 2 he explained the problem: “Her foot is The Creator, in His infinite kindness, has hurting us.” revealed and given to us certain directives The joys and the hurts are felt by both and precepts concerning the establish- as one person. That is the kind of love ment of a close relationship between two 2700 that we strive for in a marriage, and it is persons, especially between spouses, which incomparable to the so called “love” the clearly is one of the most important aspects nations of the world bandy about with of human life - especially in the view of Phone Calls such ease. Our kind of love does not our Torah. On Monday Zain Tishrei, 2700 households in happen at first sight, in an instant, not The purpose of these directives and Crown Heights got the following phone call: even through a thunderbolt or an arrow; precepts is, on the one hand, to ensure the A Gmar Chasima Tova from the Mosdos of the it comes through constant renewal of conditions under which the couple will be Shchuna, the Shul Committee & N’Shei Ubnos commitment and through giving of blessed with an abundance of blessings, Chabad. ourselves, through compromises of our and on the other, to guide them and Taf Shin Samach Tes is a Shnas Hakhel. wishes for a loftier goal. protect them from undesirable acts and Just as in the year of Hakhel - all Yiden, gathered in the Bais Hamikdosh to It is not a mirage and only attainable by consequences. hear the Melech read the Torah and inspire Yiras Shamayim - We gather a few. It is a goal that is within reach of (From a letter of the Rebbe, dated in 770. - We respectfully ask women and girls to dress halachically and all as long as we want it and as long as 5732) appropriately. we are willing to work for it. All this cannot be experienced while May our efforts in being meticulous in the Mitzva of Tznius, especially in The Rebbe says: shidduch dating! At that time the the Rebbe’s shul, bring the immediate Hisgalus. couple is still two individuals who Again, a Gut Yor and a Gmar Chasima Tova. Love is an emotion that increases in are looking to see if a partnership can strength throughout one's life. It is sharing September 26, 2008 ~ crOWN heights Newspaper 7

Horav Hachossid Reb Boruch Shifrin

1905-20th of Tishrei 1986 about his incarceration. Reb Boruch exile on the 20th of Av 1944. immediately give the money. refused to sign since it was Shabbos, but By: Aharon Abrahamson WWII ended and in Iyar 1945, the world To Be Joyous eventually he was freed. learned about the atrocities against the Horav Hachossid Reb Boruch Shifrin During Kislev of 1960, Reb Boruch went Settled in Leningrad Jews that had taken place during the was born in 1905 on the 26th of Sivan into Yechidus with the Rebbe and the war. Russia opened her borders, and in Paritsch, White Russia to Horav After a while, the authorities again began Rebbe told him to be joyous. When he Russia and Poland agreed to allow Polish Tzvi Hirsch and Mrs. Fayge Shifrin. searching for Reb Boruch. For months he asked the Rebbe why he should be joyous, citizens who had escaped into Russia to Reb Boruch was fifteen years old when slept in the shul to evade the authorities the Rebbe replied that there is what to return to Poland. Many Jews, including his father was beaten by a gang of anti- looking for him. Two months later, Reb be joyous about. When Reb Boruch left Lubavitch chassidim, took advantage of Semites. For the last five years of his life Boruch received a draft notice from Yechidus, he began dancing for hours. this offer and left Russia. he was bedridden with pain as a result of the Russian army. When he asked the In 1963 his wife Sunia was nifter andR eb the beating. In those years, Reb Boruch Previous Rebbe how to respond, the Pre- The Shifrin family first traveled to Boruch remarried. Reb Boruch wished underwent great difficulties in order to vious Rebbe advised him to leave town. Moscow, and then to L’vuv, where they to settle inI srael and when he consulted study in the underground yeshivas in He ran away received the appropri- the Rebbe, the Rebbe responded that his Kremenshug and later, far from his home, to Leningrad ate documents to leave physical and spiritual livelihood was in in Kharkov. where there was R ussia. In Poland, they Paris and not in Israel. On one occasion, a large commu- stayed in a refugee camp Reb Boruch merited special kiruvim when Reb Boruch was in Yechidus and nity of Chabad in Krakow for three from the Previous Rebbe. In his twen- discussed the matter once more with Chassidim. The weeks. From there the ties, he visited the Previous Rebbe in the Rebbe, the Rebbe told him that at Previous Rebbe Zionist organization Bre- Rostov and later in Leningrad. During the present he did not see a reason to also advised him cha, transported them to one Yechidus, he received an American leave Paris. “What will you do there? to obtain a pass- Czechoslovakia. After dollar from the Previous Rebbe which the Say Tehillim?” To which Reb Boruch port for three much wandering they family cherished throughout the years. replied that he would also continue his years residency arrived in Saltsberg, Aus- Another expression of kiruv took place activities in communal affairs in Israel. in Leningrad. tria where they remained when the Previous Rebbe was about to After a few months, theR ebbe consented This was for a for a year. make Havdala and he searched for Reb to Reb Boruch’s move to Shichun Chabad long period of Boruch and asked him to hold the candle. Eventually the Shi- in Jersualem, where he continued his time and was For a period of time, Reb Boruch served frin family settled in activities. u n u s u a l f o r as the Previous Rebbe’s personal secre- Paris. Reb Boruch was those days. The Daily Schedule tary. While in yeshiva in Kremenshug, appointed gabai of the Rebbe’s vision With Granddaughter he once merited going on a shlichus of the Pletzel shul, where the His daily schedule would begin at 3:00 was fulfilled,R eb the Previous Rebbe to the Rebbe’im had davened during their visits A.M. when he would begin reciting Boruch successfully received the pass- to Paris. Reb Boruch served as a mohel Tehillim on his porch. After Tehillim resting places of the Alter Rebbe and the port, as well as a nice apartment. and shochet. Many refugees came with he would study a Maamor Chassidus of Mitteler Rebbe in Haditsch and Nevel In 1937, tragedy stroke Reb Boruch when uncircumcised children and Reb Boruch the Alter Rebbe in Torah Ohr or Likutei respectively, read the pidyon. his youngest daughter Masha succumbed performed many brisim. T orah for an hour, and at 8:00, he would On the 14th of Kislev in late 1928, Reb to an illness and was nifter. go to shul for shacharis. Reb Boruch Ireland was the next stop. Numerous Boruch married Miss Sonia Paar and they would slowly daven shacharis aloud, In the summer of 1941, Reb Boruch chassidim arriving in France, went to lived in Vitebsk for a while. After his wed- word by word. On Shabbos, he would received a new notice to report to the Ireland to work as shochtim for a brief ding, Reb Boruch joined his father-in-law daven many more hours. He davened army. The Russian army was fighting while. Reb Boruch received the Previous in raising money for the underground and learned with his entire being. Every the Germans and was in dire need of Rebbe’s blessing and traveled to Ireland Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim. In Adar day he would walk to the Kosel to daven manpower. Reb Boruch’s wife informed where he worked for two years and 1931, the KGB discovered the yeshiva in and some days he would remain there for army officials that he was ill.B y a miracle, then returned to France. In France, he Vitebsk and his father-in-law Reb Eliyohu the entire day. the officer at the army office handed Mrs. continued raising funds for the Yeshivos Paar was arrested and Reb Boruch and Shifrin the appropriate papers and told Tomchei Tmimim in Brunoy, France As long as the feet are functioning, his wife escaped. her that her husband needed to travel to and in Israel. why do I need a car?! Arrested before Pesach a different location to report. This was Gracious Hosts On his way to the Kosel he would review an obvious miracle since it enabled Reb Early in the morning at 5:00 A.M., at the Tanya by heart. On one occasion when Boruch and his wife to escape before the Reb Boruch and his wife were gracious beginning of Nissan, there was a banging his grandson Reb Yehuda Eidelkop met Nazis entered their city. hosts who constantly brought needy on the door. TheK GB entered the house him and offered him a ride, he said, “As people into their home. There were and found receipts for Yeshiva Tomchei Burying the hunger fatalities long as the feet are functioning, why do children of a Lubavitch family who were Tmimim, clear evidence that Reb Boruch I need a car?!” Reb Boruch was a person who always always outside looking for something to was involved in yeshiva activities. Reb tried to make things better, whether it eat. When Reb Boruch saw the children Prior to Sukkos 5746/1985, although Boruch bid a tearful farewell to his was a fundraising project for Yeshiva he would invite them into his home. Reb Boruch was eighty years old, he wife, and was taken away by the KGB. Tomchei Tmimim, or maintaining a insisted on building the Sukka himself In prison, he underwent torture as he In later years, these now grown children Mikva in Vitebsk. During WWII, when and adamantly refused any assistance was interrogated. Reb Boruch’s cell and related to Reb Boruch’s daughter, “At one Leningrad and other cities had no food, from family members. that of his father-in-law was separated point we were starving to death and there many people succumbed to the hunger by a thin wall. was nothing in the house to eat. Your On Chal Hamoed Sukkos he was hos- and died. Reb Boruch brought many parents saved us from hunger”. pitalized and on the 20th of Tishrei Hunger Strike Jews to Kvuras Yisroel, a Jewish burial. returned his soul to her creator. Reb Boruch also lost his daughter Rochel Reb Boruch was also gracious with Pesach arrived and Reb Boruch insisted Leah to diphtheria illness at this time. money. A non-Lubavitch bochur recalled He left his daughter, Mrs.T amar Eidelkop that he would not eat any chometz. He that he needed a loan for a business of France; his daughter, Mrs. Rivka Junik demanded matzos from the prison officer To escape from Leningrad, Reb Boruch investment. Reb Boruch did not ask of Belgium; his son, Reb Hirshel Shifrin and the officer responded harshly. Reb and his family travelled over a frozen lake many questions but immediately gave of Crown heights; and grandchildren Boruch decided to fast. When he was to get to the train station. After a twenty him the required amount. This made a and great-grandchildren serving as the served bread, he refused it saying that day train trip, they arrived in Alma-Ata deep impression on the bochur and he Rebbe’s Shluchim worldwide. he didn’t eat bread on Pesach. The same in Kazakhstan, where the Rebbe’s father, always recalled this favor. thing happened in his father-in-law’s Horav Hagaon Hamkubel Reb Levi We should speedily witness “The ones cell. Reb Boruch successfully refrained Y itzchok, was living in exile during the Travel to the Rebbe in New York was who dwell in the dust will awaken and from eating chometz during the eight last years of his life. Reb Boruch and his expensive. On many occasions, Reb rejoice” with Hachossid Horav Reb days of Pesach. son Hirshel would visit Reb Levik on Nissan Nemanov, mashpia of Yeshivas Boruch Shifrin among them. a steady basis, davening with him and Tomchei Tmimim in Brunoy would At the end of Nissan, Reb Boruch was participating in his Farbrengens. Reb approach Reb Boruch on behalf of a par- about to be released but needed to sign Boruch merited serving Reb Levik until ticular bochur and request his assistance an agreement not to disclose any details his very last day, when he was nifter in in purchasing a ticket. Reb Boruch would 8 CROWN HEIGHTS Newspaper ~September 26, 2008 Parshas Hashavua

Vedibarta Bam ~ Haazinu future, i.e., through it they will merit to a medical attendant in the tiny hamlet of Rabbi Moshe Bogomilsky The problem is that “vatishkach Keil be inscribed in the Book of Life with all Anipoli. Dumbfounded, he returned to mecholelecha” — you are using this the best, materially and spiritually. his Rebbe and told him that in Anipoli "צור ילדתך power of forgetfulness to also forget there were no medical experts. ,Hashem challenges the Jewish people תשי ותשכח א-ל Hashem, Who brought you forth and Ubechanuni na bezot” — “Test Me, if “Then tell me,” asked theR ebbe, “What“ מחללך" Who does so much for you.” “You forgot the rock you will, with ‘zot’ — ‘this’ ” (Malachi do the people of Anipoli do when some- )המגיד מדובנא ור' מנחם מענדל זצ"ל Who gave birth to 3:10), i.e. perform the three things one, G d forbid, is sick?” מקאצק( you and forgot G d which add up to “zot” — four hundred “What do they do?” said the chassid, “I and eight — and “[See] if I do not open "לו חכמו ישכילו זאת יבינו Who brought you suppose they have no other option but for you the windows of Heaven and לאחריתם" (forth.” (32:18 to trust in Hashem and ask Him to send “Were they wise they would compre- pour out upon you blessings without QUESTION: Why the healing from Heaven.” hend this, they would understand what end.” does Moshe mention the Jews’ forget- their end would be.” (32:29) “He is the One,” exclaimed the Rebbe. ting of Hashem twice? Unfortunately, there are people who do “That is the professor of Anipoli that I QUESTION: The word “zot” — “this” not realize or refuse to recognize what ANSWER: There was once a person referred you to. Put your faith in Hashem — is superfluous? can be accomplished through these who owed money to many credi- and He who helps the people of Anipoli three things. King David says of such tors. Unable to bear the pressure and ANSWER: In the prayers on Rosh will surely help you too.” people, “Ukesil lo yavin et zot” — “A demands for payments which came Hashanah and Yom Kippur we pro- fool cannot understand ‘zot’ — ‘this’ Hashem is saying, “Machatzti” — “I from all sides, he consulted a friend claim, “U’teshuvah u’tefillah u’tzedakah ” (Psalms 92:7), i.e. the importance wounded” — “ve’ani erpeh” — “and I who, incidentally, was also one of his ma’avirin et ro’ah hagezeirah” — of ‘kol, tzom and mamon’ which have heal,” [when the person realizes that] creditors. The friend advised him, “Repentance, prayer, and charity avert the same numerical value (408) as the “ve’ein miyadi matzil” — “there is no “From now on when anyone comes the severity of the decree.” In all mach- word ‘zot.’ rescuer from My hand” — i.e. he hon- asking for payment, act insane so that zorim above these words are printed in estly believes that it is not the doctors )בית יעקב ר' יעקב הכהן ז"ל טראב – מסלתון קול, )”the creditor will think you have lost small letters, “kol, tzom, mamon .who bring healing, but Hashem ראב"ד ביירות( ,Voice (of prayer), fasting“ — (צום, ממון ”.your mind and stop bothering you ( ' , דגן שמים על מםכת ראש השנה ועי סיפורי חסידים "מחצתי ואני ארפא ואין מידי מציל" Once, when the friend himself came money (for charity).” The merit of the 168 ' ) ע to demand payment, the debtor began Jewish people is determined by how “I wounded and I heal, and there is no to act demented, hoping to put him they excel in these three things, and rescuer from My hand.” (32:39) off. Angrily the creditor said to him, the total numerical value of the three In this pasuk the word “Ani” is mentioned “Don’t act crazy in front of me — it is four hundred and eight, which is QUESTION: It should have said the four times, which is an allusion to what was my idea!” also the numerical value of the word reverse, “There is no rescuer from My the Gemara (Megillah 29a) says that ,hand; I wound and I heal”? Hashem is always with the Jewish people .(זאת) ”zot“ Among the many gifts Hashem has and that even when they go into galut endowed man with is the power of This pasuk, which is read usually ANSWER: An ill chassid who many — exile — the Shechinah — Divine “shikchah” — forgetfulness. Thus, during the High Holiday season, is doctors were unable to help, desperately Presence — is there together with them. when one is, G d forbid, confronted hinting that “Were they wise they visited his Rebbe for a blessing and advice. Since the exiles of the Jewish people are with trials and tribulations he is able to would comprehend ‘zot’ — the achieve- He was told, “Consult the professor in the associated with four monarchies: Edom, remove his mind from them, and go on ments that are derived through — ‘kol, town of Anipoli. He will cure you.” The i.e. Rome, Media/Persia, Babylon, and with his life. Moshe said to the Jewish tzom, and mamon’ — ‘voice, fast, and ailing chassid spared no effort or money Greece, “Ani,” which is a reference to people, “tzur yeldecha — the rock Who money’ ” — and “yavinu” — they would and made the arduous trip. Upon arrival the Shechinah, is written four times. gave birth to you — [has instilled in you understand that it plays an important he was disappointed to learn that there (נחל קדומים) a gift, the power of] teshi — to forget. role — “le’acharitam” — for their was no professor, no doctor, and not even

Hidden And Revealed ment to the day of our festival.” Our crowning G-d king with the sounding By Yanki Tauber teshuvah, connection, singularity, of the shofar on the 1st of Tishrei (“the joy, unity, wisdom, commitment Reprinted with permission from Chabad. new moon”) remains in concealment -- that will drive our lives for the Org until “the day of our festival”, the full rest of the year. moon of Sukkot, when it manifests itself “Sound the shofar on the new moon, in The first ofT ishrei is Rosh Hasha- in a seven-day feast of joy. concealment to the day of our festival” nah, which opens the “Days of (Psalms 81:4). In this cryptic verse lies And what Sukkot is to Rosh Hashanah, Awe” that characterize the first the deeper significance of Sukkot and Simchat Torah is to Yom Kippur. The part of the month, culminating in its sister-festival, Shemini Atzeret/ essence of Yom Kippur is that it is the Yom Kippur on Tishrei 10th. Then Simchat Torah. day we received the Second Tablets, the mood and texture of Tishrei completing the Giving of the Torah In the Jewish calendar, the month fol- shifts dramatically to the “Season (which began on Shavuot) and bring- lows the phases of the moon. The “new of Our Rejoicing” that begins with ing into our lives the Torah’s ultimate moon” -- the point at which the moon the festival of Sukkot on the 15th essence -- teshuvah. There is nothing emerges from its monthly concealment and continues through Shemini more liberating and exilarating than -- marks the beginning of a new month. Atzeret and Simchat Torah. The teshuvah -- the power to “return” to The apex of the month is the 15th -- the half of Tishrei is marked by solem- the quintessential core of one’s being, night of the full moon, when the moon nity, the second by elation; but the true king, but merely in a “ruler”). But transcending time, space, habit and attains the high point of its potential to Chassidic masters explain that these there is also a third element without “character”, transcending all that reflect the sun’s light and illuminate are simply the “hidden” and “revealed” which the coronation could not happen circumscribes the soul’s truest self and the earth. dimensions of the same elements. -- awe. And the nature of awe is that truest strivings. But again, the essence The month of Tishrei is the most The essence of Rosh Hashanah is our it eclipses and mutes the joy. Sukkot, of Yom Kippur is submerged and spirituality-rich month in the Jewish crowning of G-d as our “king”. A coro- then, is simply the revelation of Rosh concealed within the solemnity that year. The festivals and special days-- nation, explain the Chassidic masters, Hashanah. The joy and unity that are accompanies the business of teshuvah Rosh Hashanah, the Ten Days of is effected by two things -- unity and the essence of our commitment to G-d, doing -- fasting, regretting and confess- Repentance, Shabbat Shuvah, Yom Kip- joy: a people joyously unite to select, and which were “concealed” by the ing our wrongdoings, resolving not to pur, Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret/Simchat accept and submit to an exalted figure awe that characterizes the first days of repeat them, praying for forgiveness. Torah, Shabbat Bereishit -- follow in who embodies their collective identity Tishrei, erupt on the 15th of the month It is only on Simchat Torah that the succession, with hardly any “ordinary and innermost strivings (if the corona- in the form of the festival of Sukkot. joyous essence of teshuvah is manifestly days” in between. It’s a time to fuel tion lacks either joy or unity, chassidic celebrated. In the words of the Psalmist, “Sound up on the spiritual resources -- awe, teaching explains, it results not in a the shofar on the new moon, in conceal- September 26, 2008 ~ crOWN heights Newspaper 9

can also be read as (ּכַ פ ֹת) ”Vedibarta Bam ~ Sukos and thus a shehechiyanu must be word “kapot ”.which means “tied up (ּכָפּות) ”recited. Since there is a doubt which “kafut A shehechiyanu is recited at a time of day is actually Yom Tov (the 15th The Gemara S( ukkah 32a) derives “לולב מצוה לאגדו” joy, e.g. a Yom Tov or over a mitzvah of Tishrei), it is recited both nights that the leaves of the lulav must be “It is a mitzvah to bundle the lulav with which is applicable only at a certain together with Kiddush. fresh (soft) so that they can be tied to the hadassim and aravot.” (Sukkah time during the year, e.g. shofar, reading the lulav spine. Thus, to firmly tie the 33a) Halachically, however, the shehechi- megillah, etc. Since there was a time leaves to the spine it is customary to yanu over the lulav may be made even QUESTION: How many rings should when a real doubt existed concerning place to rings on the lulav itself (see before Yom Tov when one prepares be placed on the lulav? which day was actually Yom Tov (the Rav Shulchan Aruch 651:11). (binds together the lulav with the spe- 15th of Tishrei) the berachah of she- ANSWER: TheS hulchan Aruch Harav cies], but it has become traditional to Now, in the Torah, the word “kapot” is hechiyanu must be recited each night (651:11) writes “It is customary to make make the berachah when the lulav is written without a vav ( ). Since the ּכַ פ ֹת together with the Kiddush which ushers three bundlings (ties) on the lulav, cor- taken to fulfill the mitzvah (see Suk- letter vav has the numerical value of six, in the Yom Tov. A person cannot rely on responding to the three Patriarchs. I.e., kah 46a, Shulchan Aruch 644, Magen we take the lacking vav as an indication the fact that he said it on the first night in addition to the ring which bundles Avraham). Thus, there is no need to that the requirement of kafut — tied of Yom Tov since it is possible that it may the three species together, (because the make this berachah twice, since either up — is an imperative only during the not have been the fifteenth ofT ishrei if Torah (Shemot 15:2) states ‘This is my way [even if the first day is a weekday six days of Sukkot and not the seventh the new month were established on the G‑d and I shall beautify him,’ ibid. 2) and not Yom Tov] one fulfilled the — Hoshana Rabbah. testimony of witness. )לבוש סי’ תרס”ד סעי’ א’, ועי’ לקו”ש ח”ד ע’ two ties (rings) are made to bundle the obligation of reciting the shehechiyanu lulav leaves to the spine.” However, the Gemara (Sukkah 46a) for the lulav. )1368 (שו”ע סי’ תרס”ב, מגן אברהם) says, “One who makes a sukkah for “יש נשים מעוברת שנוהגת ליטול But don’t we make three rings just for himself, says shehechiyanu. When הפיטום של האתרוג בהו”ר” “אומרים תהלים בליל הושענא רבה ?bundling the species together אחר חצות” he enters the sukkah during the Yom The three rings for bundling the species Tov to sit in it, he says the blessing “Some pregnant women have a custom are all made within a tefach hand- of leishev basukkah.” Nowadays, we “On Hoshana Rabbah after midnight, to bite off the pitom of the etrog on breadth. Thus, we apply the rule of do not recite the shehechiyanu upon Tehillim is recited.” Hoshana Rabbah [after davening].” lavud — attached — so the three rings building the sukkah, rather it is done QUESTION: Why necessarily after QUESTION: What is the significance are considered as one. over the Kiddush cup. midnight? of this? But why do we make what appears ANSWER: ANSWER: According to the Midrash as five rings but which halachically is According to the (Bereishit Rabbah 15:7) the forbidden counted as three? Zohar (Vayikra fruit that Chavah ate and also gave to It says in Pirkei Avot (3:6) “From where 103b) we wel- Adam was an etrog. As a punishment, do we learn that the Divine Presence come Ushpizin from then on, she and all woman- rests among five that occupy themselves — guests — to hood would have to suffer pain in with Torah? For it is said ‘va’agudato al our sukkah. These childbirth. eretz yesadah — He has founded His guests are Avra- The etrog is an edible tasty fruit and band upon the earth’ ” (Amos 5:6). ham, Yitzchak, has a good aroma. The pitom, however, According to another version, this Yaakov, Moshe, is a hard inedible piece of wood with pasuk is proof that the Divine Presence Aaron, Yosef and no aroma. By biting off the pitom the is with three who are occupied in Torah. David. Each day of woman is declaring that she disagrees Because three is considered agudah — Sukkot another of with Chavah and wants absolutely no banding together (see Bartenura). these guests leads pleasure from the etrog. the others into the In deference to the opinions whether Hence, on the first night the shehechi- sukkah. Thus, Hoshana Rabbah, the The Gemara S( otah 12a) says that an agudah — bundling — is three yanu is both for the Yom Tov and the seventh day, is the day of King David. righteous women of all generations or five, we make five rings which are sukkah, and therefore it is recited after were not affected by Chavah’s verdict considered as three, corresponding to The Gemara B( erachot 3b) says that we make the berachah of leishev basuk- that womankind should suffer pain in the Patriarchs. David did not sleep at night. Until kah. On the second night there is no childbirth. Therefore, by disassociat- midnight he would be involved in words שו”ע סי’ תרנ”א סעי’ א’ ט”ז, חיים וברכה) longer a need to make a shehechiyanu ing herself from Chavah’s iniquity, of Torah; henceforth, he strengthened (לבעמ”ח ספר משמרת שלום על פמ”ג סי’ רפ”ח over the sukkah, since even if the first she prays to Hashem that He grant himself like a lion and occupied himself night were not Yom Tov one is yotzi her a childbirth without pain and “בליל ראשון של סוכות אומרים תחילה with singing and praises to Hashem. .has fulfilled the obligation — even complications — לישב בסוכה ואח”כ שהחיינו” (When he would sleep, he would be )אוצר כל מנהגי ישרון בשם ספר זכירה ועי’ בנטעי if the shehechiyanu were made before “On the first night of Sukkot, we say careful to only doze off for less than 60 גבריאל פרק פ’ ס”ז( -Yom Tov upon completion of the erec first leishev basukkah and afterwards human respirations, see Sukkah 26b). tion of the sukkah. Therefore, since “שמחת תורה” ”.shehechiyanu the shehechiyanu on the second night Since on Hoshana Rabbah David is the QUESTION: When we make Kiddush is only for the Yom Tov (in the event primary guest, and he compiled the “Simchat Torah” the first night of Sukkot, why is the that the first night was not 15T ishrei) Tehillim which contains the songs and QUESTION: Simchat Torah literally berachah of leishev basukkah made first and not for the mitzvah of sukkah, the praises he would say to Hashem after means the Simchah of the Torah — is and then shehechiyanu, while on the shehechiyanu is recited immediately midnight, we too recite the Tehillim on it our simchah or her simchah? second night the order is reversed? after the Kiddush. Hoshana Rabbah after midnight. ANSWER: In Hebrew a son is called )שו”ע סי’ תרמ”א וסי’ תרס”א( )טעמי המנהגים בשם מחזה אברהם ועי’ שו”ע ANSWER: Biblically, the Yom Tov “ben” from the root of boneh — builder אדמוה”ז מהדו”ק סי’ ד’ סעי’ ט”ז( “ביום ראשון מברך על נטילת לולב of Sukkot is to be celebrated one day because he continues to build that — ושהחיינו, וביום שני אינו מברך זמן “בהושענא רבה קודם הלל – מסירים the fifteenth of Tishrei. The new — .which his father started אא”כ חל יום ראשון בשבת.” שתי הכריכות אשר על הלולב” month would be established by Beit Din on the testimony of witness who A very sad day in a person’s life is when “On the first day we recite the berachot saw the new moon, and then messengers “On Hoshana R abbah, before he must sell a large thriving business al netilat lulav and shehechiyanu, on the were dispatched to inform the public. Hallel, the two (top) rings to a stranger because his only son has second day shehechiyanu is not recited The communities of Israel and the are removed from the lulav.” no interest in continuing the business. unless the first day was Shabbat.” Diaspora that would not be reached (Sefer Haminhagim-Chabad) Through our dancing and rejoicing we by mid month, celebrated Yom Tov for QUESTION: Why is shehechiyanu demonstrate our love for Torah and that QUESTION: Why necessarily these two days out of doubt as to which day recited both nights in Kiddush and only it is very dear to us. Thus,S imchat Torah two rings? was the 15th. Though we now have a the first day of Yom Tov for taking the — Torah is immensely happy when she pre-calculated calendar, we continue lulav and etrog? ANSWER: In the Torah (Vayikra sees the cherish and love her children, the “custom of our parents” and observe 23:40) the lulav is called “kapot tema- the Jewish people, have for her. ANSWER: Yom Tov is a joyous occa- Yom Tov two days. rim” — “branches of date palms.” The sion which comes from time to time, 10 CROWN HEIGHTS Newspaper ~September 26, 2008

Matters of Interest

Do You Consume Enough Minerals?! • Vital for the formation and mainte- • Important to balance blood sugar I wish everyone a Gmar Chasimah nance of healthy bones, teeth gums. By Yaakov Bam, levels Tovah. MS, Nutrition • Important in the maintenance of • Important to prevent headaches Recipe corner. and Wellness the heart, and in the transmission of Consultant nerve signals. • Important to prevent elevated blood Tzu Gezunt Salad. pressure The Rambam: • Lowers cholesterol levels and helps The salad can be made a day in advance. prevent cardiovascular disease. Magnesium is sometimes regarded Serve it lightly-chilled or at room “I can guaran- as a “smoothie” mineral, since it has temperature. tee that anyone • Important for blood clotting the ability to relax our muscles. Our who accustoms Ingredients: • Helps lower blood pressure, prevent nerves also depend upon magnesium himself to these yene machlah. to avoid becoming overexcited, and 1 bag of spinach. ways which we have discussed will this aspect of magnesium links this not become sick throughout his whole • Helps to keep the skin healthy. 2 medium size boiled potatoes mineral to maintenance of healthy life, and will never need to take any The body has a complex system to con- blood pressure. 1 cup celery, finely chopped medicines. His body will be perfect and trol the amount of calcium in the blood healthy for his entire life....” Good sources of magnesium include 1 hard-boiled egg so that calcium is available for body swiss chard, spinach, mustard greens, Minerals originate in the Earth and can- functions. As a result, when intake of ½ cup salad olives, chopped summer squash, broccoli, turnip greens, not be made by living organisms. Plants calcium is too low to maintain normal pumpkin seeds, cucumber, green beans, 1 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped get minerals from the soil, and most of blood levels of calcium, the body will celery, kale, variety of seeds, including the minerals in our diets come directly draw on calcium from the bones to 1 cups fresh dill finely chopped sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, and from plants or from animals. Minerals maintain normal blood concentrations, flax seeds. 2 cups onions, finely chopped may also be present in the water. which, after many years, can lead to osteoporosis, chas v'sholom. Unfortunately, most people do not get ½ lemon Every living being needs minerals for enough minerals in their daily diets, proper function. Minerals are needed Good sources of calcium include spin- 1 tbs. cold-press olive oil mainly because they eat large quantities for the proper make up of blood and ach, turnip greens, mustard greens and of processed foods, which provide insuf- bit of salt for taste bone, the maintenance of healthy nerve collard greens, yogurt, kale, mozzarella ficient amounts of important minerals. system, cardiovascular system, etc… cheese, cow’s milk, and goat’s milk, Preparation: The effects of stress, the use of some dill seed, cinnamon, romaine lettuce, There are two groups of minerals: medications can also cause minerals 1. Boil potatoes in their jackets. Let celery, broccoli, sesame seeds, cabbage, bulk minerals (macro-minerals) and deficiency. cool, then peel and chop into large summer squash, green beans, garlic, trace minerals (micro-minerals). Bulk chunks. tofu, brussel sprouts, oranges, parsley. When any one starts consuming more minerals include calcium, magnesium, fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grain 2. Toss all ingredients in a large bowl potassium, phosphorus, and sodium. Magnesium: products nutrition balance will improve with the olive oil until just combined. These are needed in larger amounts • Important to relax your nerves and drastically. Squeeze ½ lemon and season with bit of than trace minerals. Trace minerals muscles salt and serve immediately or refrigerate include boron, chromium, copper, And please remember: in an airtight container until ready to germanium, iodine, iron, molybdenum, • Important to build and strengthen Mitzvah goreres Mitzvah. V'ase Tov use or up to 1 day. If refrigerating, add manganese, selenium, silicon, sulfur, bones Sur Merah. the spinach just before serving. vanadium, and zinc. • Important to prevent heart One SMALL step at a time. To be continued. Calcium: arrhythmia The Brutal Truth If you cannot multi task, or communi- ing when the library books are due, and cate without being passive aggressive, whether i have rsvped to that birthday By Rabbi Shea oldest: can i have soda? it’s just a don’t even bother replying. If you are party yet Hecht sprite? please? can i? no, no and no. the type who doesn’t notice crumbs on the next one...don’t even get me started. Rebecca Soodak, the 40-year-old We all put great value the table, skip to the next post, because seriously Mother whose husband owns a wine on the truth and crumbs are a deal breaker. they put me store, eventually hired a 25-year-old demand honesty from The ad describes everything the mother over the edge University of Virginia graduate, to take others. Many times expected from a nanny - in completely What’s most amazing about the honesty care of her children. I guess the honesty our biggest criticism honest terms - everything the woman of this 1,000 word ad is that people drew her to the job. to others - especially feels she can give to a nanny and every- were amazed by the honesty! They were people in the political arena - is that thing in between the twin six year olds: Help me dear G-d keep track of our refreshed by the truthfulness of ad. people are not being honest. one wanted dessert before her dinner skim milk supply and also, also, also, was over, one kept wanting to know am not looking for Super nanny, or what should I make for dinner tomor- In our relationships - marriage, work, why I wouldn’t let nine year olds swing anyone who wants this job because row night? children - we always say we want open- her around by her limbs. (the fear of a they will love my kids as if they are ness, honesty and truth. What is it about In the end, Soodak’s honesty was dislocated shoulder did nothing.) their own. you won’t. really. they are truth though, that often as soon as we almost a joke - on her! As Soodak told Please help me infinitely lovable, but trust me, they’re hear it we get offended? Many times the Times: “I hope she likes it here. I mine and you will move on when your we’ll “excuse the truth” by saying it The “brutally honest” ad got lots of sent the ad to one of my old sitters and journey with us is over, and save for was said because of a bias, hatred or attention because of one tiny little she said she felt it was pretty accurate, some funny stories and a delightful jealousy. fact - it was honest which sort of stung a little bit.” email every now and again, you won’t TheT almud tells us that one of the pil- I can be a tad difficult to work for. I’m grieve. Nor will we. (okay, we did all Rabbi Hecht, is chairman of the board lars that the world exists on is truth - yet loud, pushy and while I used to think grieve a few of our past sitters, oddly of the National Committee for the Fur- we so often fight it. we paid well, i am no longer sure. i work they were all named Sarah or Kate, or therance of Jewish Education (NCFJE), from home, so you get the pleasure of Nikki. And Leah. Leah was delightful, continuing the tradition of social services The other dayI came across a fascinat- being hounded by me all day long. and, even if she did drop my twin babies off management and outreach. He is a Rabbi ing ad that was a parody of our dishon- you get to pretend to like me, because i our couch during a family gathering. and activist in the Jewish community, est quest for honesty. am deeply sensative. (but well dressed Good times focusing on family crisis intervention, The Craig’s List nanny ad was called and a know it all, a winning combina- guiding and advising troubled youth Have we become a nation of liars? Are brutally honest or unusually honest tion I assure you.) and their families, marriage counseling, we so jaded by the lies that people tell by many and drugs and cults counseling and The prospective nannies who read the and write that honesty has become consultations. He can be reached at My kids are a pain... Just in the past ad recognized the honesty in it and brutal? Unusual? Refreshing? 718-735-0200 or at [email protected] hour, i have had to tell each one other women looking for nannies saw I need a team player. I need someone to Rabbi Shea HechtChairman NCFJE to do something more than once. the obvious too back me up when it comes to remember- [email protected] September 26, 2008 ~ crOWN heights Newspaper 11

Rebbe's Story

“When one tells a story about his Rebbe he connects to the deeds of the Rebbe” (Sichos 1941 pg. 68) An Eventful Tishrei at the Rebbe 5731/1970 From a diary written by Rabbi Michoel knew what the Rebbe was referring to. Then the Rebbe began to hint to the and even in places where there is just Seligson issue he had been referring to in the one Yid. This should be all done parallel During the following nine Farbren- Translated into English and adapted by Maamorim since the beginning of the to the gathering in the U.N., and should gens, the Rebbe constantly mentioned Rabbi Menachem Kirschenbaum month. be done in a positive way.” this verse from Yeshayohu. The Farbrengen of Simchas Torah “The U.N. gathered its representatives The Rebbe Establishes his own UN The Rebbe Farbrenged on Shabbos 5731/1970 is known by chassidim as a from countries all over the world to mark (United Nations) Shuva and again on the 6th of Tishrei, special one with many giluyim, revela- the 25th year anniversary of its founding. in honor of his mother’s Yahrzeit. At The Rebbe’s chozrim, those tions. To this day chassidim speak of it both Farbrengens, as the Rebbe was who put to memory the Rebbe’s with wonder. concluding the Maamor, he repeated discourses in order to transcribe The Rebbe established his own United the same verse “For you have made (the them afterS habbos or Yom Tov; Nations at this Farbrengen and appointed oppressor’s) city into a heap, fortified wrote the Maamor down right different chassidim to be in charge of town into a ruin.” after the first days of Yom Tov. different countries. TheR ebbe asked for the written AfterY om Kippur, there was a big ques- Maamor and edited it, though it In order to understand the chain of events tion on everyone’s mind. Would the was his custom not to write on that led up to this historical event, we Rebbe Farbreng in the Sukka? Chal Hamoed. Chassidim were refer back to the beginning of Tishrei The previous year, a tableful of people very excited and everyone began (1970). fell on Rabbi Marlow OBM, amidst the learning the Maamor. The first Farbrengen of the month on pushing in the Sukka. The Rebbe said Chassidim going on Mivzah Rosh Hashana, made it clear that the that he would not want to Farbreng in Lulav to Manhattan discussed the Rebbe wanted to accomplish something the Sukka because it was dangerous to Maamor with their friends. This unique. do so. was the talk of days. The highlight of theR ebbe’s Farbrengens Many of the older Chassidim made dif- The evening of Simchas Torah, is always the Maamor, the chassidic ferent suggestions to the Rebbe so that directly before the fourth hakofo, discourse. a Farbrengen in the Sukka would still the Rebbe told the gabai, Rabbi be possible. The Rebbe did not accept The Rebbe would customarily begin Moshe Pinchas Katz to announce them. The closer it came toY om Tov, the reciting the Maamor at the Rosh the following: more it appeared that there would be no Hashana Farbrengen after chassidim Farbrengen on Sukkos. “The 70 nations are parallel to sang all of the Rebbeim’s nigunim. In They chose to do so around the time of the 70 souls of the children of Yaakov. the Maamor the Rebbe would include On the second day of Sukkos, members Sukkos. Every single thing in the world According to Torah, the Rabbonim are explanations on Rosh Hashana from all of the Rebbe’s secretariat announced that is by Divine Providence. Sometimes we the 'bale batim', owners of the counties of the Rebbe’im. there would be a Farbrengen in 770. The cannot see it and sometimes we see it in all over the world. Therefore, for this Rebbe said that it would be a Farbrengen a revealed way. In this specific situation The exceptional event during the Maamor hakafa the Rabbonim, who are the “oif truken”, on dry, without any food or we see it in a revealed way!” of this Rosh Hashana, was that in the representatives of the countries, should L’chaims being made. middle of the Maamor, the Rebbe spoke “The whole theme of the Yom Tov of come up.” at length on the verse from Yeshayohu TheR ebbe came into shul and sat down Sukkos, and we read it today during the Chosen to represent their respective (25:1)” For you have made (the oppres- at his place. Immediately the Rebbe Haftora, ‘I will gather together all of countries were: sor’s) city into a heap, fortified town into instructed that everyone should sing the goyim.’ Also, on Sukkos there is the a ruin.” the Bal Shem Tov’s nigun, followed by concept of the offering of the 70 sacrifices Rabbi Shmuel Levitin-America, Rabbi the Alter Rebbe’s nigun. He then went which is symbolic of the 70 nations. Yosef Goldberg- France, Rabbi Benzion The Rebbe concluded that through directly into the Maamor opening with Shemtov- England, Rabbi Y. Barteshvilly- destroying and wiping out the kingship The Rebbe then added: the words, “All of the gentiles and nations Russia, Rabbi Hodakov- Finland, Rabbi of klipat noga. More energy is added in of the world praise you and admire you “The 70 nations have 70 angels who Segal- Israel, Rabbi Yitzchok Hendel- kedusha. This is the idea of “Through G-d.” represent them in the upper worlds. Canada, Rabbi Binyomin Gordetsky- destroying the city of Tzur that will bring The Yidden bring the offering of the 70 Europe, Rabbi A. Pliskin-Australia, the rebuilding of Jerusalem.” At this point Immediately there was an awareness in porim parallel to the 70 nations. Then Rabbi Hirshel Chitrik- Brazil, Rabbi during the Farbrengen, everyone present 770 of something unusual. The Rebbe the 70 sorim above receive all of their Yadgar- Iraq, Rabbi Avrohom Yitzchok understood that the Rebbe was not just usually began Farbrengens with Sichos energy from these sacrifices. They can Glick- Germany, Rabbi Yosef Weinberg- explaining a concept in chassidus. The before saying the Maamor. see in an open and a revealed way, how South Africa, Rabbi Towil- Argentina, Rebbe was concentrating on destroying In the Maamor, the Rebbe again spoke, all of their energy is totally dependent Rabbi Leibel Raskin- Morocco, Rabbi and wiping out ‘klipos’ from the world. as he had in the earlier Farbrengens. on the Jew. As an outcome, when you Avrohom Osdoba- Denmark, Rabbi The sense that the Rebbe was accom- He explained how non-Jews receive accept something from someone you Alevsky-Germany, and Rabbi Moshe plishing changes in the higher worlds their energy from Kedusha, and how become nullified to that person. In this Pinchos Katz- Poland. seemed even clearer at the conclusion it is possible that klipa can be elevated situation, this influences the nations to The Rebbe then turned to the RaShag, of the Maamor. The Rebbe said, “From to kedusha, and add to the energy ones become totality nullified towards the his brother-in-law, and said, “Since you this level we draw down through all of receives from kedusha. TheR ebbe added Jews, because they can see that all of their traveled with the Previous Rebbe to the worlds of the chain of creation, to that since on Sukkos we sacrifice the 70 energy comes from them.” Egypt, you should be the representative the extent that we created a new entity in sacrifices, parallel to the 70 nations of the The Rebbe concluded: of Egypt.” this physical world, ‘For you have made world, it is through our sacrifices that the (the oppressor’s) city into a heap pile, a 70 nations are elevated. “Because we are now in a situation that all After they called up all of the representa- fortified town, into a ruin.’” the nations see in a revealed way that their tives of the countries, the Rebbe said, TheR ebbe concluded the Maamor with energy comes from the Jews, we should “With the power of Torah they are the Rabbi Yisroel Jacobson noted that as far the same verse from Yeshayou, ““For you utilize this opportunity to make our own 'bale batim' over all the countries and as he recalled, fifty-seven years earlier, have made (the oppressor’s) city into a gathering. Therefore,I request that there they should all go to the hakofo and 5674/1913, the Rebbe Rashab elaborated heap, fortified town into a ruin.” should be gatherings in New York, as well dance!” on this verse and what it signified in the During the Farbrengen, the Rebbe as at the Western Wall, in particular, since light of Chassidus. In the summer of that The Rebbe began to sing “Utzu eitza delivered two long Sichos referring to that is a place that Jews from all over the year, WWI broke out. v'sufar”, and to clap his hands with all his non-Jews. The conclusion was that Jews world come together. They should daven strength. No one who was in 770 then After Rabbi Jacobson spoke, chassidim have the power to elevate and affect the and learn, and through this affect positive would ever forget the scene. understood that the Rebbe was trying to rise of the nations. change in the U.N. There should also be accomplish something, however no one gatherings even here in the Diaspora, To be continued 12 CROWN HEIGHTS Newspaper ~September 26, 2008

Sicha Succot

The Four Species: Unity of the Jewish Nation a lower level, for the lulav possesses only a pleasant flavor (the virtue of Torah Adapted from Likutei Sichos vol. 4 [A pleasant taste is used as an analogy for everyone joins together in the sounding study), while the esrog possesses both Torah study. Since Torah study involves of the shofar and the teshuvah of Yom Published and copyright © by Sichos In flavor and fragrance (both Torah study intellectual comprehension, the satisfac- Kippur. But this oneness is merely a English and the observance of mitzvos). tion it produces is substantial, comparable general feeling, expressing the essential Four Species, Four Types of People to the satisfaction derived from food. A G-dliness that lies at the core of every This question can be resolved by compar- pleasant fragrance is used as an analogy Jew’s soul. It does not, however, relate ing the study of Torah to the observance Chassidus interprets the phrase bakeseh for good deeds, because observance of the to the differences between one Jew of mitzvos. Mitzvos are referred to as liyom chageinu, “on the day [the moon] mitzvos must stem from kabbalas ol, the and another. On the contrary, on Rosh “limbs of the King,” while it is said: “The is hidden, for our festival,” as meaning acceptance of G-d’s yoke, a commitment HaShanah, these differences are “hid- Torah, and the Holy One, blessed be He, that all matters that are concealed on which, like a fragrance, produces less den,” covered up by the revelation of are all one.” Rosh HaShanah -- “the day [the moon] is tangible satisfaction.] higher lights. hidden” -- are revealed on “our festival,” To explain: The limbs of the body are on Sukkos. “A closed palm branch” -- This refers to On Sukkos, however, these individual not totally at one with the soul. They the Jewish people. Just as the [fruit of differences receive expression. Each of are given over to the soul, and as soon This also applies with regard to Yom the] date palm has a [pleasant] taste, but the four species -- the lulav, the esrog, the as the soul desires, they respond.464 Kippur. The hidden aspects of its Divine not a [pleasant] fragrance, so too, among myrtle and the willow -- stands for a dif- Nevertheless, they are material entities, service are also revealed on Sukkos. For the Jewish people, there are those who ferent kind of personality. Nevertheless, and remain distinct from the soul, which Yom Kippur is also referred to as Rosh possess [the virtues of] Torah study, but they are all united in a single bond. is spiritual. HaShanah, and expresses the inner not of good deeds. dimensions of that holy day. The Lulav’s Distinction Similar concepts apply with regard to “Myrtle branches” -- This refers to the the observance of the mitzvos. They One of the fundamental aspects of Rosh From the comments of the Midrash cited Jewish people. Just as the myrtle has a express the nullification of a Jew before HaShanah and Yom Kippur is the unity above, it would appear that the esrog is [pleasant] fragrance but not a [pleasant] G-d, that he carries out G-d’s will. And of the Jewish people. For our Divine the most distinguished of the four spe- taste, so too, among the Jewish people, yet the very statement that a Jew carries service on these holy days expresses cies, for it possesses both the advantages there are those who possess [the virtues out G-d’s will implies that he remains an the inner dimension of our souls. This of taste and smell. In the analog, this of] good deeds, but not of Torah study. independent entity. dimension is the same for all Jews, from refers to Jews who possess both the vir- “your heads and your tribes...” to “your “Willows of the brook” -- This refers to tues of Torah study and observance of the The study ofT orah, by contrast, involves hewers of wood” and “drawers of water.” the Jewish people. Just as the willow has mitzvos. The question then arises:W hy a different type of relationship. When a On Sukkos, this unity -- like all the other neither a [pleasant] taste nor a [pleasant] in the blessing is the mitzvah referred to Jew contemplates the Torah, he is grasp- dimensions of Rosh HaShanah and Yom fragrance, so too, among the Jewish as “the mitzvah of lulav”? ing G-d’s wisdom, as it were, and his Kippur -- becomes manifest. people, there are those who possess mind becomes one with G-d’s wisdom, The answer is given460 that the lulav is neither [the virtues of] Torah study, nor of which it is said: “He and His wisdom This concept is expressed by the Midrash, taller than the other species. This answer, of good deeds. are one.” which states that the four species used however, is itself problematic. The exis- for the mitzvah of lulav and esrog refer TheH oly One, blessed be He, says: “Tie tence of every entity in the material Moreover, this oneness with G-d is an to four categories of Jews: them all together in one bond, so that realm, and in particular those objects that active dynamic. The more a Jew gives each will atone for the other.” are associated with mitzvos, reflect their himself over to the comprehension of “The fruit of a beautiful tree” [theT orah’s spiritual source. Thus the fact that the the Torah, the more encompassing his term for the esrog] -- This refers to the Moreover, the oneness expressed on lulav is taller than the other four species oneness with G-d becomes. This high- Jewish people. Just as the esrog has both Sukkos is greater than that experienced indicates that spiritually also, it possesses lights the advantage of the lulav -- those a [pleasant] taste and a [pleasant] fra- on Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur. a quality which surpasses them. individuals who are totally given over grance, so too, among the Jewish people, On Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur, to Torah study, even to the exclusion of there are those who possess [the virtues the unity does not relate to the different What advantage does the lulav possess good deeds. of] both Torah study and good deeds. natures within the Jewish people. Yes, over the esrog? Seemingly, it represents

Sicha Simchas Torah Divine service in the new year. The of the Torah scroll? That the dancing month of Elul -- and in a different way, on Simchas Torah expresses a Jew’s As explained above, the essence of Simchas Torah: Dancing the unique days of Rosh HaShanah, the commitment to accepting G-d’s yoke the Torah transcends intellectual Ten Days of Teshuvah, Yom Kippur, to the extent that he is no longer an with closed Sifrei Torah understanding. For this reason, even Sukkos, and Shemini Atzeres -- are independent entity. The feet are given Adapted from Likutei Sichos Vol. 4 unlearned people share a connection to days of preparation, characterized over to the head. As soon as the head Published and copyright © by Sichos in its holiness, and celebrate on Simchas by teshuvah. When does the Divine desires something, the feet respond. English Torah. service of the new year begin? Simchas Indeed, when the feet behave like inde- It is a custom -- and our Rabbis taught Why is the intellectual dimension of the Torah. pendent entities, and hesitate before that Jewish custom is considered as Torah necessary? So that the Torah will carrying out the will of the head, it is a At that time, the Jewish people are like the Torah itself -- to celebrate with permeate a person’s inner dimensions, sign of sickness. a young child that must be educated. the Torah on Simchas Torah. We take and not remain merely an encompass- And that education begins in the spirit By becoming the “feet of the Torah a Torah scroll wrapped in its mantle, ing light. Comprehension internalizes of the verse “The Torah which Moshe scroll,” a Jew subsumes his identity to and dance with it around the reading the transcendent bond between the commanded us...,” emphasizing the the Torah. He resolves to carry out its platform. Since the Torah is associated essence of the Torah and the essence importance of kabbalas ol. This lesson directives spontaneously, as a natural with intellectual understanding, the of the soul, and makes it an active part has an ongoing effect throughout the expression of who he is. And this resolve celebrations of Simchas Torah should of our consciousness. year. Even when we focus on the intel- extends over the entire year to come. seemingly be associated with progress, This is why onS imchas Torah we dance lectual dimension of Torah study, our quantitatively and qualitatively, in There is another element to the analogy. with the Torah wrapped in its mantle. efforts will be permeated by faith and Torah study. And this study will lead The feet complement the head, taking We thus emphasize that the Torah kabbalas ol. to happiness. it to places which it could not reach on transcends our understanding, and Becoming the Torah’s Feet its own. So too, in the Jew’s relationship Why is the very opposite done? Why this becomes a source of happiness. to the Torah, by accepting its yoke with is the celebration characterized by Our happiness does not stem from the The above concepts also help us under- joy, we bring it to a higher level. dancing with the Torah wrapped shut, Torah’s intellectual dimension, but stand a statement made by my revered so that it is impossible to study it? rather from the fact that reading and father-in-law, the Rebbe. He would say This is why the plural is used in the studying it binds us to G-d’s essence. that on Simchas Torah, the Torah also expression “the season of our rejoicing.” It is true that one must also fulfill one’s desires to dance around the reading For just as the Jews celebrate with the fixed quota of Torah study even on We dance with our feet. The feet are platform. The Torah, however, has no Torah, the Torah celebrates with the Simchas Torah. But that is because one identified with faith, which expresses feet, so the Jewish people become its Jews. For it is the Jews’ celebration with is obligated to study Torah every day. It the essence of the soul. feet, carrying it around the reading the Torah that lifts theT orah to a higher is not customary to make an increase in Our celebration and dancing with the platform. level, and enables it to celebrate. Torah study on Simchas Torah; this is Torah while it is wrapped initiates our not the way the holiday is celebrated. What is meant by becoming the feet September 26, 2008 ~ crOWN heights Newspaper 13 Shleimus Haaretz The Obligation to Settle the Entire Land of Israel With Jews Published and copyright © by Sichos territories were liberated, but it is still to settle the entire Land of Israel, When they act swiftly and quietly, all in English possible to settle them today. explaining: the pressure will be forestalled, because the nations will see a fait accompli, an The Rebbe Answers All Criticism Regarding the second claim, the Rebbe It is true that “the Guardian of Israel irreverable act of the Jewish court that said: neither sleeps nor slumbers,” but G-d TheR ebbe’s emphatic words regarding the Land of Israel is an everlasting wants people to also act within the settlement of the entire Holy Land As to their claim that they promised inheritance of the immortal nation. framework of nature, at least with the elicited many reactions and denun- someone etc. — this claim lacks all minimal effort required to move one’s The Rebbe adds that not only will the ciations. Here are some of the answers foundation, since one cannot promise little finger. This is whatH e teaches us nations cease their pressure, but will which the Rebbe gave in replying to something which does not belong to in the Torah: When the Jews hear that ultimately even assist us, as the Rebbe the detractors. him; the Land is something which gentiles want to come to a city “to take says on Motzoei Shabbos Chaye Sarah, belongs to the Holy One, and He gave There were those who agreed that the straw and chaff,” if it is a city from which 5738: it to every Jew, and to all of the Jews optimal situation would indeed have it “would be easy for them to conquer as an everlasting inheritance; thus, Settlement of all parts of the Land of been to immediately settle all the the land,” the Jews are to “go out and it belongs to the Jews forever. In any Israel will even affect the nations, to the territories which had been liberated. face them with weapons and even des- case, the gentile to whom they made extent that they will even assist us. They However, they claimed, since they were ecrate the Shabbos.” In such a case we this promise, does not believe that will also “feel” (since their mazal will not settled then, it is an impossible goal have a promise that the pressure placed the Jews will truly honor it.[71] Of see) that the existence of Esau is only today. Similarly, there were those who upon the Jewish people to concede, will course, this stems from the fact that for the purpose of helping Jacob. This said that since promises had already be nullified — as we have seen many the nations themselves reneged on the will be a preparation for the ingathering been made not to settle those places, it times when we stood fast. conditions they established, and broke of all Sons and Daughters of Israel — is impossible to do so now. their word on several occasions. This TheR ebbe spoke in a similar vein in his shleimus haAm — to the whole the The Rebbe answered these assertions leaves a wide opening for the Jews to address of Motzoei Shabbos Mishpatim Land of Israel, in the coming of (and in his address of Motzoei Shabbos do as G-d wishes. mentioned above: through) Moshiach, after which “G-d Mishpatim, 5738 (1978). The Rebbe will extend your boundaries” — and the Settlement Forestalls Pressure All of the anguish and suffering which calls the first claim a deception. Yes, Land of Israel will be expanded, with the Jews experience as a result of the it would have been preferable to settle In his address of Pesach Sheini, 5738 the addition of the lands of the Keini, negotiations is totally unnecessary. the entire land immediately when the (1978), the Rebbe spoke of the need Knizi, and Kadmoni.

The Shleimus HaAretz Talk Show Update By Tamar Adelstein with court marshal should he do so. charges that they had used a tractor in the mountains and valleys of Eretz Sharon shrugged and chose instead last June to attack Arabs living near Yisroel where HaShem’s Shechina On Monday, October 6th, TheS hleimus to listen to the Rebbe and went on Hevron. Yisroel, whom we interviewed always rests. HaAretz Talk Show ran a very special to successfully turn the tide, sending last spring about the security training program on the 35th (secular) anniver- Recently Governor Sara Palin, the Vice- the Egyptian national security advi- courses he runs in YESHA, also offers sary of the Yom Kippur War. Presidential candidate running with sor Hafez Ismail begging to Henry development programs including farm- John McCain, participated in a debate Our first guest was Rabbi Sholem Kissinger for intervention to save ing projects. The police confiscated with her counterpart Senator Joe Biden. Ber Kalmanson, who, as usual, spoke his soldiers from being completely their tractor as evidence. The tractor When asked about Israel, she surprising brilliantly and very movingly on the destroyed by the Israelis. and other farm equipment are, obvi- gave the current standard pat answer: subject of Shleimus HaAretz. Rabbi ously, essential to begin planting the Rabbi Kalmanson encouraged all of us two-state solution. I say “surprisingly” Kalmanson pointed out a number of various fields that are still open to Jews to make an honest accounting of our because she seems to be fairly bright fascinating details about the Rebbe’s in Yehuda and the Shomron—fields efforts in these days and join together and level-headed on every other topic tremendous knowledge of and strategic that the Israeli government has yet to individually and collectively do in the campaign. It sounds like, just insight into Israel’s security needs and to decide if they belong to the Arabs everything in our power to stop the as Rabbi Kalmanson suggested and defense plans he advised Israeli leaders according to the Oslo Agreement! As impending “convergence plan” or forced the Rebbe said, that today it’s not the and generals on. Yisroel explained, this is part of the evacuation of the 100,000 plus Jews Americans who are pressuring Israel to Israeli government’s recent crackdown For example, the Rebbe strongly living in Yehuda, the Shomron, and make foolish concessions but rather the on independent citizens and their com- objected to and fought the implemen- Yerushalayim, G-d Forbid! Israelis who are asking the Americans munities in Yehuda and the Shomron tation of the Bar Lev sandbag line of to give the appearance of doing so in Our next guest was Mrs. Rachel Lipsky being done to weaken and dissolve any defense Israel had set up along the order for the few but powerful and who shared her memories when she opposition to its plan to force out the Suez Canal during the War of Attrition highly corrupt political elite in Israel was an 18yr old soldier/musician in 100,000 plus Jews living there before preceding the Yom Kippur War. The to hide their true intentions and walk the Israeli Army Band during the Yom President Bush leaves office in January, Rebbe explained both to Ariel Sharon off with ill-gotten gains at the expense Kippur War. G-d Forbid!! and Bar Lev, himself, that the Bar Lev of the rest of us. Just as we must take line was nothing more than a replica of Rachel also addressed the reasons why Following Yisroel was Mrs. Daniella those Powers-That-Be to task and, as the French Maginot Line that had been Jews have fell so easily into accepting Weiss who is the former mayor of the the Rebbe said, expose them through easily hosed away by water cannons in TheC amp David Accords and all of the City of Kedumin in the Shomron and unceasing protest, so too should those war and would not serve as secure line other negotiations that followed despite current major planner of its newest who are in the position to do so seek to of defense for Israel. Tragically, the the fact these agreements have clearly suburb Sh’vut Ami which was partly communicate to the presidential can- Rebbe’s warning was not heeded and not worked to our benefit. dismantled by the Israeli Army late didates the Rebbe’s views on Shleimus resulted in the loss of much Jewish life, last week. Daniella, who has a long HaAretz. Our next guest was Yisroel Danziger r”l, when the Egyptian Army began and productive career building up from Efrat who did a short but revealing To review today’s Shleimus HaAretz its assault exactly as the Rebbe had new communities in Eretz Yisroel, was review of The Camp David Accords T alk Show, dial 641-715-3486, Access described. brutally arrested last Thursday morn- stressing that the misguided belief both Code 505946#. ing, Tzom G’dalya, and placed under During the Yom Kippur War, Ariel Begin and Sharon held that in giving house arrest until her next hearing on Our next show will, G-d Willing, be on Sharon quietly contacted Rabbi Shlomo away some territory they would be able October 12th. October 28th from Noon to 1:30pm. Madanchik from K’far Chabad and to gain the sympathy and support from requested that he call the Rebbe for World Powers as well as the Arabs for When asked how we can help she G’mar Chasima Tova! advice on how to proceed and succeed Israel’s right to retain major centers in recommended that if we cannot immi- in overturning the enemies’ upper YESHA and Yerushalayim continues grate to Eretz Yisroel, then we should hand. TheR ebbe advised encircling the to plague the security and welfare of definitely visit often and help out in the Egyptian Third Army. When Sharon Jews everywhere. various projects going on to build up the asked Moshe Dayan for permission to heartland. She beautifully reminded us Earlier in the day Yisroel and several do so, he was rebuffed and threatened that everything that is Jewish originates of his colleagues were arrested on 14 CROWN HEIGHTS Newspaper ~September 26, 2008

Tznius: "America Is Nisht Andersh”

The Domino Effect her a story: A bachur once came by the Rebbe twice in one night for kos shel By Mrs. M. Resnick feeling the same concern and agreeing of our meeting with her teachers. bracha. TheR ebbe asked him why. He that action is of the essence. Who can imagine that ten Tishrei-busy All I can say is that one woman pained replied that his first one had a “loch in women would drop everything Motzoei To begin with, each one of us individu- by a certain state of affairs brought kop”, a “hole in the cup.”(With a play Rosh Hashono and gather at Machon ally pledged to raise her own level of about to a wonderful avalanche of on the word ‘kop’ meaning also a hole Chana for an emergency meeting? And Tznius. concern, goodness and positive action in his head.) Now, he told the Rebbe, a meeting about Tznius no less! that will, G-d willing, benefit everyone he is holding a new cup without a hole. We decided to post flyers and send a in our community. (Domino Effect.) TheR ebbe smiled and gave him kos shel Monday, Erev Rosh Hashonoh, I got a phone message to thousands of homes, This is a sign for a good beginning for a bracha for the second time that night. phone call from Mrs. Sarah Labkowsky. urging everyone to please dress appro- New Year especially a Shnas Hakhel. “We’ve got to do something about the priately this month. The possibility of After Mrs. Z. finished relating this Tznius situation at least in 770. It’s the distributing scarves and other coverings We need this to become contagious! story, she said to the woman, “I saw Rebbe’s Sh’chuna,” she said. “It’s the like during ‘Dollars’ with the Rebbe, you davening so devoutly, and it would We need initiative, effort, involvement, Asseres Yemei Tshuva! How can we was also seriously entertained. be such a shame to lose the brachos funds, volunteering, elbow grease, watch so many women and girls walk from your davening because of a ‘hole, This entire year in fact is aS hnas Hakhel anything and everything to recapture into 770 inappropriately dressed?” to have your brochos fall out of your when all Jews would travel to the Beis our Beis Hamikdash. sleeves. I’m sure you didn’t notice but I, of course, agreed with her since we Hamikdash to hear the Kohen Gadol the slit on your sleeves clearly exposes were both on the same page on this read from the Torah. 770 is like the Beis your elbows.” issue. Hamikdash for us. One of the areas always raised in any meeting on Tznius is: The woman looked at her elbows, her So she suggested that we hold a One of the women asked why now? face displaying surprise when she real- meeting. What’s the urgency as the situation How does one approach, in a non-threat- ized the truth of Mrs. Z.’s statement. has been deteriorating for a number ening, non-embarrassing way, a person “Should we meet Motzei Yom Tov?” A few minutes later when Mrs. Z. left of years? Various valid reasons were who is not dressed appropriately? I asked. shul, the woman turned to her and said brought up but only later did it occur Taking a lesson from the Hayom Yom “Thank you.” “Motzei Yom Tov ?” she replied some- to me that the Rebbe sent us a mes- of Ellul 22nd , “Chassidic doctrine what incredulously sage in his own inimitable way when demands that before reproving another, we suddenly found those ‘Buttons’ “Well, yes,” I answered, “if there’s a fire one must pare his own ‘fingernails,’ in An inspired suggestion 30-some years later after their ‘creation’, burning it can’t wait.” order not to gash the other.” And, of in Mrs. R. Chitrik’s basement.( See our Mrs. C. Teldon known for her wry course, anyone reproaching a woman Mrs. Labkowsky and I put together article in issue #37 - August 1st, 29th humor came up with the following dressed in an untzniusdik manner must a list of members of the organization of Tammuz) suggestion: be sure to have love in their heart. involved in women’s issues includ- That’s why we have to do it now! (And What if we found out ‘the number’ of ing our newly formed Bnos Melech Let me share a wonderful example of we have still to decide what we are going the mitzvah of Tznius in the list of 613 B’Yachad (BMBY), the Shul Commit- such love: to do with the ‘Buttons’.) mitzvos. We can be mfarsem it and then tee, and the Israeli Guest Committee, Mrs M. Zirkind. went to 770 on Labor one would merely have to say, “#”. It and then we s plit the list among us. For the Vov Tishrei gathering that day, for davening. “Please let me not would be a buzz word. N’shei Chabad organized in honor of Two hours before Yom Tov we started have to see the ‘shmutz’ of the street,” Rebbetzen Chana, BMBY undertook Imagine meeting a woman at the store making phone calls. (Me, in my car on she asked Hashem before she left her to distribute a letter of the Rebbe and she was not dressed properly. Just the way to Crown Heights.) Honestly, house. Sure enough, Hashem cleared and diagramed-guidelines for proper smile at her and say, “59” (Rambam) or we had no idea how many women we the path for her. When she walked attire. “75”(Alter Rebbe’s Shulchan Aruch) With would reach or who would be able to into 770, however, she saw a woman a campaign of awareness, she would make it, but on Motzei Yom Tov, these Knowing that some among us find with sleeves that clearly exposed her immediately know what you are talking ten very busy women showed up: these halachic diagrams ‘off-putting’,I elbows. “How is it,” she thought, “that about. called Mrs. S. Tiechtel, the MC of the I encounter an untznius woman in 770 Mrs. C. Gorowitz, Mrs. S. Spritzer , evening to ask her to introduce them after not encountering any inappropri- Which ever way works! As long as Mrs. R. Hendel, Mrs. C. Popak, Mrs. C. in an appealing manner. Mrs. Tiechtel ateness outside in the street?” there’s love in our hearts and those nails Lang, Mrs. D. Chazanov, Mrs. T. Katz- herself wondered why, indeed, we find are really neatly trimmed the Rebbe is man, Mrs. S. Junik, Mrs. S. Labkowsky, But she kept silent as the woman was such hardship in this particular area sure to bless our efforts with success. and myself. in midst of a hartzige davening. After when we, as Lubavitch women, easily both she and the woman had finished, Comments and suggestions to: We all commended those who erected undertake so many more difficult Mrs. Z. walked over to her and told [email protected] the barriers and dividers around the tasks. women’s section over Rosh Hashanah. This is the challenge of our But for Yom Kippur and the rest of generation! Tishrei we wanted to take it one step up. We wanted to raise our womens’ She then graciously accepted to intro- consciousness and ensure that Halacha duce the diagrams in an appealing plays a major part in our in dressing for manner in the z’chus of her mother, Yom Tov. Rebbetzen Sima Itkin. Mrs. Tiechtel also told me that Tznius was so pre- Mrs. Labkowsy’s passion was palpable. cious to her mother that even in her “We have an Achrayus! It’s the Rebbe’s last moments on this earth she was so Shul! We have to do something to concerned with the proper positioning help women and girls look right when of her tiechel. coming to the Rebbe and we have to stop being afraid to call it what it is… Mrs. L. Abraham, the keynote of the it’s Halacha!” evening agreed to raise the ‘heartfelt plea’ to discard TV and other inap- She even came up with a motto “The propriate visual images from our homes. TIME is Now” with TIME standing (Shura Rishona of Kollel Wives and for Junior N’Shei had originally planned T= Tznius, I=Internet, M=Music, and to have a Vov Tishrei gathering on this E=Entertainment embodying the issue – [article in the issue of Chai Elul, notion ofTznius incorporating the September 26 ] before we found out entire spectrum of life. about the N’shei Chabad Ferbrengen scheduled on the same day) The discussion was exciting and heart- warming with everyone in the room Mrs. Gorowitz agreed to share the spirit September 26, 2008 ~ crOWN heights Newspaper 15 Story

hurriedly finished my davening so that I finished his story, “Yours is indeed an An Esrog from the Garden of Eden could find out what was the trouble, and exceptional etrog. Now I realize why your By Nissan Mindel “Most certainly I do,” answered Rabbi if I could help in any way. etrog has the fragrance of the Garden of Elimelech emphatically, “I am sure it will Eden in its perfume! Let me tell you the Reprinted with permission from Chabad. “As I turned towards the man who was in be a story worth hearing!” sequel to your story.” Org obvious distress, I beheld a most unusual “My name,” began the quiet-looking man, and rough looking person, dressed in “When the wagon driver whom you saved It was the first day of Sukkot, and all the “is Uri, and I come from Strelisk. I have peasant garb with a whip in his hands, thought about his unexpected good for- congregants in the shul (synagogue) of always regarded taking the “four kinds” pouring out his troubles to the inn-keeper tune, he decided that you must have been Rabbi Elimelech of Lizensk were in a festive on Sukkot as one of my favorite mitzvot, at the bar. none other than the Prophet Elijah whom mood. One could feel the “Yom-Tov” spirit “From the somewhat confused story, the Almighty had sent down to earth in in the atmosphere. between his sobs, I managed to gather the form of a man, in order to help him As Rabbi Elimelech stood at the lectern and that the man with the whip was a in his desperation. Having come to this began reciting Hallel, all eyes turned upon poor Jew who earned his living as a conclusion the happy wagon driver looked him. There was something unusual in his baal agallah (owner of a horse and for a way of expressing his gratitude to the manner this Sukkot. Why did he stop so cart for carting purposes). He had Almighty, but the poor man knew not a suddenly in the middle of his swaying as a wife and several children and he Hebrew word, nor could he say any prayers. he held the etrog and lulav in his hands to barely managed to earn enough to He racked his simple brain for the best way sniff the air? And why did he not go through make ends meet. And now, a terrible of thanksgiving. the Service in his usual leisurely manner? calamity had be fallen him. His horse, “Suddenly his face lit up. He took his It was evident that something was on his without which he could do nothing, whip and lashed it into the air with all his mind, something rather exciting by the had suddenly collapsed in the forest might, crying out with all his being: ‘Dear look on his radiant countenance. not far from the inn, and just lay there Father in Heaven, I love you very much! and so, although I am a poor man and unable to get up. The minute the davening (praying) was What can I do to convince you of my love could normally not afford to buy an etrog “I could not bear to see the man’s despair over, Rabbi Elimelech hurried to where for you? Let me crack my whip for you as according to my desire, my young wife, who and tried to encourage him, by telling him his brother Rabbi Zusha (who had come to a sign that I love you!’ Saying which, the agrees with me as to its importance, helps that he must not forget that there is a G-d spend the festival with him) was standing, wagon driver cracked his whip into the air me by hiring herself out as cook. Thus she above us who could help him in his trouble, and said to him eagerly: “Come and help three times. is independent of any financial help from however serious it seemed to him. me find the etrog which is permeating me, and I can use my own earnings for spiri- “ ‘I’ll sell you another horse for fifty gulden, “On the eve of Yom Kippur, the Almighty the whole shul with the fragrance of the tual matters. I am employed as melamed although I assure you he is worth at least up above was seated on His ‘Seat of judg- Garden of Eden!” (teacher) in the village of Yanev, which is eighty, but just to help you out in your ment,’ listening to the first prayers of the And so together they went from person to not far from my native town. One half of difficulty!’ “ The inn-keeper was saying to Day of Atonement. person until they reached the far corner of my earnings I use for our needs and with the wagon driver. “Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, who the shul where a quiet looking individual the other half I buy an etrog in Lemberg. “ ‘I haven’t even fifty cents, and he tells me was acting as the Counsel for Defense on was standing, obviously engrossed in his But in order not to spend any money on I can buy a horse for fifty gulden!’ the man behalf of his fellow Jews, was pushing a own thoughts. the journey I usually go on foot. said bitterly. wagon full of Jewish mitzvot to the Gates “I felt I could not keep the money I had of Heaven, when Satan appeared and “This is the one,” called outR abbi Elimelech “This year, during the Ten Days of Repen- with me for an etrog when here was a obstructed his path with piles of Jewish delightedly. “Please, dear friend, tell me tance, I was making my way on foot as man in such desperate plight that his sins, so that Rabbi Levi Yitzchak just got who are you and where you obtained this usual, with fifty gulden in my purse with very life and that of his family depended stuck there. My brother Rabbi Zusha and wonderful etrog?” which to buy an etrog, when on the road upon his getting a horse. So I said to the I added our strength to help him move his to Lemberg I passed through a forest and The man, looking somewhat startled and inn-keeper: wagon forward, but all in vain; even our stopped at a wayside inn to have a rest. bewildered at this unexpected question, “’Tell me what is the lowest price you would combined efforts proved fruitless. It was time for ‘minchah’ so I stood in a replied rather slowly, carefully choosing take for your horse?’ corner and davened minchah. “Suddenly there came the sound of the his words: “The inn-keeper turned to me in surprise.I f cracking of a whip which rent the air, “I was in the middle of my prayers when you pay me on the spot, I will take forty-five “With all due respect to you, Rabbi, it is causing a blinding ray of light to appear, I heard a terrible sound of moaning and gulden, but absolutely not a cent less. I am quite a story. Do you wish to sit down and lighting up the whole universe, right up groaning, as of one in great anguish. I selling my horse at a loss as it is!’ listen to it all?” to the very heavens! There we saw the “I immediately took out my purse and angels and all the righteous seated in a banded him forty-five gulden, the wagon circle, singing G-d’s praise. On hearing driver looking on, his eyes nearly bulging Mrs Tiechtel's Plea for Tznius the wagon driver’s words as he cracked his out of their sockets in astonishment. He From our earliest childhood when my women and girls. whip in ecstasy, they responded: ‘Happy was just speechless with relief, and his joy mother would take us to see the Reb- is the King who is thus praised!’ My mother had a very strong confidence was absolutely indescribable. betzin Chana she would point out to us in our youth, she would always encour- “’Now you see that the Almighty can help “All at once, the Angel Michael appeared, how she was our Royalty, our Malka. age me to give a student another chance, you, even when the situation appears to you leading a horse, followed by the wagon When I was 9 my mother took us to the look at the situation again, because she to be entirely hopeless!’ I said to him as he driver with whip in hand. convention in Manhattan so we should believed our youth could do it. hurried off with the innkeeper to harness “The Angel Michael harnessed this horse see Rebbetzin Chana. She is part of our the newly-bought horse to his forsaken cart We can put all our Kochos and enthu- to the wagon of mitzvot, and the wagon community and we have her spiritual tied to the stricken horse in the forest. siasm and take our community back. driver cracked his whip. Suddenly the DNA in all of us, we are all the Rebbe's “As soon as they went off, I hurriedly got If this is Kahn Zivah Hashem es wagon gave a lurch forward, flattening the kinder. my few things together and disappeared, HaBrocho, then it is up to us to make piles of sins that had been obstructing the as I did not want to be embarrassed by the If we truly believe that we are connected it a beacon of light and recapture our way, and drove it smoothly and easily right thanks of the grateful wagon driver. to Rebbetzin Chana we can make a neighborhood. up to the Throne ofH onor. There theK ing “I eventually reached Lemberg with the change in our neighborhood, we can of Kings received it most graciously and, We can do it and we shall do it! remaining five gulden in my pocket, increase our Tznius observance. rising from the Seat of judgment, went over and naturally had to content myself Ladies there are copies of the Rebbe's and seated Himself on the Seat of Mercy. Every person sitting in this room can with buying a very ordinary looking but letter and a diagram of the Tznius A happy New Year was assured.” read the Rebbe's letter where theR ebbe kosher etrog. Usually my etrog is the best guidelines on your chairs, do not leave writes "Mahir" urgent. in Yanev, and everyone used to come and “And now dear Rabbi Uri” concluded Rabbi them here, take them with you! make a blessing over it , but this year I Elimelech, “you see that all this came about The Rebbe was involved in many Mrs. S. Tiechtel's summarized her plea was ashamed to return home with such a through your noble action. Go home, and and varied important matters and for Tznius in our Sh'chuna for the CH poor-looking specimen, so my wife agreed be a leader in Israel! For you have proved he was very careful with the words Newspaper after her speech at Vov TIshrei that I could come here to Lizensk, where your worthiness, and you shall carry with he used. If the Rebbe used the word Neshei U'bnos Chabad Gathering in nobody knew me.” you the approval of the Heavenly Court. Mahir in this context it tells us the honor of her mother Rebbetzin Sima But before you go, permit me to hold this urgency and importance of the inyan “But my dear Rabbi Uri,” cried out Rabbi Chasia bas Reb Yitzchak. wonderful etrog of yours, and praise G-d of our Tznius, as princesses as Jewish Elimelech, now that the former had with it.” 16 CROWN HEIGHTS Newspaper ~September 26, 2008

Year of Hakhel…

Welcoming the World to Crown Heights – Kaan Tziva Ha-shem es HaBrocha… Visitors from 39 countries in The kindness and hospitality was a precious experience for me. Our guides the spirituality and charm of Crown the last six months! wonderful breath of fresh air in NYC. were so sincere and at the same time Heights to an ever increasing world- The bakery and the mikvah were amaz- friendly, which I was deeply impressed. wide audience. Thousands of dollars are By Ben Yehuda ing. I highly recommend people of all I appreciate their efforts to introduce spent annually to promote the tours on For 25 years, a local Chabad organiza- faiths visit for a mystic understanding their way of life and philosophy to the internet and distribute brochures in tion has been quietly and consistently of their Jewish roots in action.” outsiders. Thank you so much.” hotels and attractions throughout the bringing thousands of guests from all city, and to provide this tour experience We thoroughly enjoyed the time we “Extremely Interesting. A fascinating walks of life to visit the Rebbe’s com- (by Anash) in English, Yiddish, Hebrew, spent with Rabbi Epstein who shared peek into a Brooklyn the average tour- munity. Through a three to four hour Russian, French, Spanish, Portuguese, so much of his wisdom and experience ist doesn’t see. Our tour guides were daily guided tour of Crown Heights, the Italian, German and Japanese. with us to enrich our Jewish education warm, gracious and, of course, very Chassidic Discovery Welcome Center and spiritual path. We felt more There is so much more that can connected to our Jewish souls be accomplished. Please share after this wonderful, one of a kind this amazing experience with your experience. Many thanks to the friends, mekuravim, business associ- Rabbi.” ates, simcha guests, etc. “Great experience and very infor- How? Send them a brochure, or a mative! I would highly recommend link to www.jewishtours.com to this tour. From the moment I got watch an introductory video. Bro- off the subway, I felt I was in a chures are available in local stores, or different world. It was very inter- at the Chassidic Discovery Welcome esting being part of a somewhat Center’s office by the Tzach / Levi “closed society”. All questions were “Thousands of Jewish teens put on tephillin for the Yitzchak library. You can also send “Jewish U.S. Navy cadets in 770, one of hundreds first time in their lives” of Jewish groups that visit, as well as public and answered honestly… Our tour guide your email address to subscribe@ knowledgeable regarding the subject private schools, colleges and universities, etc.” was kind, informative, and helpful. I jewishtours.com and receive a photo matter. No question asked by the tour provides a meaningful and inspiring gained a whole new respect for a group and quote of the week which you can group seemed to faze them.” introduction to Chassidic and Jewish of people who are extremely devoted forward to others as well. life. This mosad, one of the best kept to their beliefs. Our tour guide took “A really interesting and eye-opening The Board and Officers of the Chassidic secrets within Crown Heights, has all the time needed at all our stops so tour… It’s like visiting a living museum. Discovery Center would like to thank received international acclaim for its I could really take in all the sights and The tour guides give you great insight Rabbi Beryl Epstein and our dedicated innovative programming and educa- information. It was great that we could into the community. The kosher lunch, staff and guides, our contributors, and tional expertise, and has been featured also take pictures of everything.” which was included in the price, was the institutions that make themselves in various national and international also really great. I highly recommend “Interesting and informative. The available for the tour on a daily basis: media, including ABC Niteline, CNN it.” leaders of the group were excellent. Lubavitch Youth Organization – Levi News – TV Asahi Japan, the NY Times, They provided a lot of information, and These are just a few of the personal Yitzchok Library (Rabbi Shlomo Fried- National Public Radio, etc. were willing to answer any question, no impressions that reflect the deep impact man and Rabbi Kasriel Kastel), Library As we begin the Hakhel Year, Anash matter how simplistic. My husband and that has become an almost daily occur- of Agudas Chasidei Chabad (Rabbi are invited to share this educational I, even though we are Jewish, learned rence on these tours. This unique Beryl Levine), Crown Heights Mikvah experience with others so that they much from the interchanges.” combination of sights, sounds and (Mrs. Rozzi Malamud and Mrs. Cyrel too can experience the warmth and experiences provide visitors with a total Deitsch), Crown Heights Matzo Bakery “Great experience. Joining the tour, brotherhood of Chassidic Life. emersion in Jewish Chassidic Life. (Rabbi Yitzchak Tenenbaum), HaSofer I learned a lot about the community. (Rabbi Moshe Klein), Oraita (Rabbi Some recent written feedback… It is always nice to know about other The nominal fee for the tour and tax- Gad Sebag), Chassidic Art Institute (Zev people not just through reading books deductible contributions of those who “This was the highlight of my trip to Markowitz), and Muchnick Arts (Michoel or searching internet but through talk- support its work enable the Chassidic NYC! I felt like a visiting dignitary. Muchnik). ing face to face… I think it was a really Discovery Welcome Center to share

and especially during the Simchas should email the name, father’s name, date Tishrei Yahrzeiten Bais Hashoeva dancing. He merited of the ptira and some details to chp5768@ that the Rebbe referred to him as “My This week we continue with theY ahrzeiten of people who lived in our shechuna. gmail.com. A picture may be included. Partisan”. On the 2nd night of Yom Tov We are also including the Yahrzeiten of Shluchim. In mentioning them we of 5747/1986, he left the Simchas Bais come to “v’Hachai yiten el Libo”. We learn lessons from their lives, that we can HaShoeva dancing on Kingston Avenue incorporate into our own. This column includes theY ahrzeiten from the 10th of and went to 770, where he was nifter a Tishrei through the 16th of Tishrei. The respective resting places of the individuals short time later in the Suka. noted in this column are near the holy Ohel, unless otherwise specified. Women Men Rebbe and the entire shul. 10th of Tishrei 16th of Tishrei Chana Kolodny The daughter of, may he live and be well, Hachossid Reb Hachossid Reb Hachossid Reb Yosef, she was a true Bas Shmaryohu C h a i m Z u s i a Chabad who and was active in Achos Gurary Wilmovsky Tmimim and the Friendship Circle, and The son of Hacho- The son ofR eb Yosef was beloved by children. She was nifter ssid Reb Noson, he Yitzchok, Reb Zushe at the age of 17 (Toiv) in Yerusholayim was born in Kre- served as a partisan in 5767/2006 and her resting place is menshug and later in Russia during on Har Hamnuchos. moved to Israel. WWII fighting the Nazis. He later We should speedily witness “The ones who Every year, Reb Shmaryohu would settled in Israel where he was involved dwell in the dust will awaken and rejoice” visit the Rebbe during Tishrei and for in various missions and activities for the with all the above mentioned individuals a large sum of money would purchase Rebbe, some of which were concealed, amongst them. the Mitzva of opening the Aron Kodesh spreading Chassidus and reporting to at Kol Nidrei and handing the Sefer the Rebbe on the numerous Chabad Dear Readers: Torah to the Rebbe. He was nifter in mosdos in Israel. He would arrive for Anyone who would like to have their 5745/1984, moments before he reached Tishrei during and would energize the relatives mentioned in the yahrzeit column the Aron Kodesh, in the presence of the community with the joy of Yom Tov