709:Beis Moshiach 24/08/2009 7:38 AM Page 3

contents

WAR AND PEACE 4 D’var Malchus | Sichos in English

MOSHIACH ARRIVES IN TEVERYA ILLIT 6 Shlichus | Nosson Avrohom

MILKA’S MIRACLE 14 Miracle Story | Nosson Avrohom

OPEN THE BOOK AND SEE 18 Moshiach & Geula | Dr. Yaakov Gottlieb

770 IN ZICHRON YAAKOV USA Shlichus | Nosson Avrohom 744 Eastern Parkway 22 Brooklyn, NY 11213-3409 Tel: (718) 778-8000 Fax: (718) 778-0800 [email protected] EXPELLED 3 TIMES www.beismoshiach.org Shleimus HaAretz | Sholom Ber Crombie 30 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: M.M. Hendel ENGLISH EDITOR: Boruch Merkur WHO CAN BE A ‘SOLDIER OF THE [email protected] 34 HOUSE OF DOVID’ HEBREW EDITOR: 15 Elul | Yisroel Halperin Rabbi Sholom Yaakov Chazan [email protected] WEATHER OR NOT, WE ARE GOING TO 37 Beis Moshiach (USPS 012-542) ISSN 1082- THE 0272 is published weekly, except Jewish Story | Nosson Avrohom holidays (only once in April and October) for $160.00 in Crown Heights, Brooklyn and in all other places for $180.00 per year (45 HOW TO ACHIEVE TRUE PEACE issues), by Beis Moshiach, 744 Eastern 40 Thought | Rabbi Yosef Karasik Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11213-3409. Periodicals postage paid at Brooklyn, NY and additional offices. Postmaster: send address changes to Beis Moshiach 744 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11213-3409. Copyright 2009 by Beis Moshiach, Inc. Beis Moshiach is not responsible for the content of the advertisements. 709:Beis Moshiach 23/08/2009 11:01 PM Page 4

dvar malchus WAR AND PEACE

Sichos In English

WILL A DOVE GROW environment, the spiritual worlds DISCOVERING OUR CLAWS? above, there is no conflict or battle. RESOURCES When, however, the soul “goes Every day, we conclude the A person need not fear out” from that setting and descends Shmoneh Esrei prayers, praising G- undertaking such efforts; on the to our material world, it becomes d “who blesses His people Israel contrary, he is assured Divine confronted by challenges that with peace.” [1] blessing. require it to engage in battle. And when describing the This is alluded to by the Hebrew For there are two different blessings G-d will bestow upon us if “al ovecha” translated as “against aspects to our world’s existence. we follow His will, our Sages state, your enemies,” in the verse cited Our world was created because “peace is equivalent to all other above. G-d “desired a dwelling in the lower blessings.” [2] Literally the phrase means worlds,” [6] i.e., it contains the Indeed, our Sages explain [3] “above your enemies,” conveying potential to serve as a dwelling for that Shalom, Hebrew for “peace,” is the promise that even as the soul G-d, a place where His essence is one of the names of G-d Himself. descends into our material world revealed. Why does peace play such a and confronts challenges, it always But as the term “lower worlds” fundamental part in our Jewish possesses the power to overcome implies, G-d’s existence is not heritage? them. overtly apparent in our Every man’s soul is “an actual Since the soul is “an actual part environment. part of G-d from above.” [4] of G-d,” it is always above worldly On the contrary, the material Therefore, he possesses a natural influence and has the power to nature of the world appears to deny desire to allow that G-dly spark an overcome all obstacles [9] and holiness and prevent its expression. opportunity to express itself. He transform its surrounding As such, the endeavor to resolve seeks to grow in understanding and environment. these two contrary thrusts is often personal development without being Moreover, it is the challenge of characterized by conflict. confronted by external challenges. the “battle” that brings out the This is the Torah’s conception of Unfortunately, however, that is essential power which the soul war, a struggle to transform even not always possible. possesses. For such confrontation the lowest elements of existence into We live in a material world, compels a person to search for inner a dwelling for G-d. which by nature encourages strength. This search in turn brings For this reason, the Torah selfishness and the search for him into awareness of his inner G- commanded the to fight wars personal gratification. dly nature. to conquer the Land of Canaan, and In such a world, the search for And when that G-dly core is thereby turn a land which was spiritual growth may often lead to aroused, he can overcome all renowned for its depravity [7] into conflicts of interest, and at times, challenges, and spread G-dliness in Eretz Yisroel, a land “which the eyes actual conflict. all settings. In this way, he becomes of the L-rd, your G-d, are upon it G-d’s partner in creation, [10] from the beginning of the year until making manifest G-d’s purpose in WAGING WAR the end of the year.” [8] creation. These concepts are alluded to in Furthermore, even when there is the name of this week’s Torah no explicit command for war, the reading, Parshas Ki Seitzei which potential is also given to extend the INNER CONFLICTS begins: [5] “When you go out to boundaries of holiness and enable it In microcosm, the concept of battle against your enemies.” to encompass areas which were battle is relevant within our own In the soul’s natural previously governed by worldliness. personal lives as well.

4 8 Elul 5769 BEIS MOSHIACH 709:Beis Moshiach 23/08/2009 11:01 PM Page 5

Commenting on the verse, “And given to identify Moshiach - the 13. Ch. 15. you shall... see the difference leader who will motivate mankind 14. To express this concept in between one who serves G-d and to accomplish its purpose - is that traditional Chassidic terminology one who does not serve Him,” [11] he will “wage the wars of G-d.” (Torah Or, Mikeitz, 39c ff.): our Sages define, [12] “one who [15] serves G-d” as “one who reviews For it is possible that the task of The commandment to “love G-d... with all your might (B’chol his subject matter one hundred and refining the world will require Meodecha)” is interpreted as a charge one times,” and “one who does not actual conflict, [16] that Moshiach to summon up an unlimited serve Him’ as “one who reviews his must “fill the world with justice” by commitment. And we are promised subject matter hundred times.” “destroying the power of the that an unlimited commitment on In , [13] the Alter Rebbe wicked and waging the wars of G- man’s part will arouse unlimited G- explains that, in that era, it was d.” [17] dliness. customary for students to review This, however, is merely a 15. Rambam, loc. cit. 11:4. their subject matter one hundred temporary stage. times. Therefore, it was the one Ultimately, Moshiach will 16. Although the Rambam mentions hundred and first time, the time “vanquish all the nations the above as one of the criteria when the person went beyond his surrounding him... and perfect the through which Moshiach will be identified, this will only be necessary if habit and normal practice, which entire world, [motivating all the the Redemption will follow the dictates caused him to be distinguished as nations] to serve G-d together,” of the natural order. It is possible that “one who serves G-d.” For it is the [13] initiating the era when “there the Redemption will follow a striving to rise above one’s nature will be neither famine nor war, miraculous order (see the notes of the and personal habits which merits neither envy nor competition... Raavad and others; even the Rambam the award of such a title. [and] the occupation of the entire acknowledges such a possibility in A person must challenge world will be solely to know G-d.” Igeres Teiman), in which case, these himself; and this means more than a [18] wars may not be necessary. commitment to gradual progress. Seifer HaSichos 5749, Vol. II, p. 676ff; 17. Rambam, loc. cit., 4:10 in “Serving G-d,” involves Seifer HaSichos 5750, Vol. II, p. 655ff; Seifer description of the role of Israel’s HaSichos 5751, Vol. II p. 796ff breaking our individual natures, kings. and showing that there are no limits Notes: 18. Loc. Cit. 12:5. The promise of this to our commitment to Him. era - and the awareness that it is the 1. Siddur T’hillas Hashem, p. 60. This endeavor involves a truth of existence - should inspire constant struggle. 2. Rashi, commenting on Leviticus confidence and peace of mind in these A person cannot reach a level of 26:6. last moments of exile when we are spiritual achievement and then, confronted by challenges and conflict. 3. Shabbos 10b. “rest on his laurels.” Instead, he Indeed, it is possible to experience a must continually strive to advance 4. Tanya, ch. 2. foretaste of the peace of mind to be further. 5. Deuteronomy 21:10. achieved in the Era of the Redemption The inner “battles” necessary to at present through the teachings of express such a commitment tap the 6. Midrash Tanchuma, Parshas Chassidus. essential and unbounded Divine B’Chukosai, sec. 3; see Tanya, chs. 33 and 36. An allusion to this sequence can be potential each of us possesses seen in the fact that Parshas Ki Seitzei within our souls. And the effects of 7. See Rashi, Leviticus 18:3. (which highlights the concept of war) these efforts extend beyond our is followed by Parshas Ki Savo (which 8. Deuteronomy 11:12. individual selves. For the aspect of describes the Jews’ entry into Eretz G-dliness which transcends all 9. See also Rambam, Mishneh Torah, Yisroel and the blessings they will concept of limitation, is activated Hilchos Melachim 7:15 which offers a receive there). promise of safety to those who enter by each person’s endeavors to Indeed Parshas Ki Savo is read in the actual battle “with sole intention of transcend his personal limits. [14] Mincha prayers of Shabbos Parshas Ki sanctifying G-d’s Name.” Seitzei. The connection between them THE ULTIMATE BATTLES 10. Shabbos 10a. shows that the wars of Parshas Ki Seitzei are not separate from the peace Because the task of refining the 11. Malachi 3:18. promised in Parshas Ki Savo. world is often associated with the 12. Chagiga 9b. concept of battle, one of the criteria

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 709 5 709:Beis Moshiach 23/08/2009 11:01 PM Page 6

shlichus MOSHIACH ARRIVES IN TEVERYA ILLIT

By Nosson Avrohom Translated By Michoel Leib Dobry Rabbi and Mrs. Omri Ben-Akiva, both natives of Teverya Illit (Upper Tiberias), are preparing the impoverished neighborhood for a rich welcome for Moshiach Tzidkeinu. As a baal t’shuva turned shliach himself, he understands the trail he’s blazing for the community. When Moshiach comes, he’ll get an Illit welcome in Teverya.

During the three hours that we was quite fascinating to see how house Torah classes. When we began conducted this interview, Jews didn’t Rabbi Omri Ben-Akiva related to our work here, no such things stop coming into the House each inquiry pleasantly and existed, and we quickly understood – each one with a different request. cheerfully. the powerful Jewish effect that this First there were some sweet little The location: The would have upon the residents. children who came in to ask for of Teverya Illit (Upper Tiberias). At Today, there isn’t an organization candies and then made their brachos the conclusion of just three years, he operating in the neighborhood that out loud. A few minutes later, has managed to create a virtual doesn’t hold Torah classes in another Jew entered and asked if the revolution together with two other people’s homes.” Chabad House could lend him some shluchim – Rabbi Reuven Ben- Rabbi Ben-Akiva conducts his yarmulkes. Not long afterwards, Chamo and Rabbi Alon Iluz. “With activities with his own unique blend someone came in to find out the the passage of time, other of Jewish pride, characteristic time of davening, and yet another to organizations are now doing many Chabad determination, genuine ask a question in Yiddishkait. Thus, of the things that we originally concern, and unsurpassed Ahavas the interview progressed, piece by started in the neighborhood, Yisroel. A close friend of mine had piece, between interruptions. Yet, it foremost among them, the house-to- only praise for Rabbi Ben-Akiva, and

6 8 Elul 5769 BEIS MOSHIACH 709:Beis Moshiach 23/08/2009 11:01 PM Page 7

Rabbi Omri Ben-Akiva captivating the participants during the at the Chabad House

he strongly recommended that I ways to mix with them. After from his Jewish values as he grew interview him. learning in the Chabad in older. Many families in this Ramat Aviv, getting married, and “While I grew up in a classic neighborhood live in very low starting to raise a family, he decided traditional home, I only observed all socioeconomic conditions, and an to return from whence he came, the the mitzvos and other Jewish aspects integral part in the avoda of shlichus neighborhood of his youth – this out of habit and respect towards my there is to serve as an attentive ear time in different attire and armed parents and family, and not because and a source of support in the with a lot of “L’chat’chilla Aribber” of any deep inner understanding that material sense as well. and intense faith in his goal of this was the proper way to live one’s When I heard Rabbi Ben-Akiva’s transforming his home turf. life. I lived a life filled with conflicts: personal life story, the full picture Rabbi Ben-Akiva had made a On the one hand, I went to became clear to me. His early years long and circuitous journey in synagogue in Friday night, but I were spent in this neighborhood. He reaching the path of his forefathers. would arrive as late as I could, knows the dynamics and character Ironically, the fact that he had hoping that the services would end of its residents, and he also received a traditional education in as soon as possible. Friends and understands the most advantageous his youth was what distanced him acquaintances would come for the

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 709 7 709:Beis Moshiach 23/08/2009 11:01 PM Page 8

discharge. Then, as most average Israelis after the army, I decided to take a trip throughout the Far East, traveling to Laos, India, and Thailand. During my months of touring, I still continued to observe minimal kashrus, according to the standards I knew at the time. However, I had stopped keeping Shabbos and other elements of Judaism that I had observed up until then. “The first step towards returning the world of Yiddishkait came when I met HaTamim Boruch Makmel, of blessed memory. He spoke with me logically and gently, and his words Illuminating Teverya Illit. At the neighborhood’s central menorah lighting penetrated my heart. He was the first person to tell me that every Friends and acquaintances would come Jewish law or commandment has a true and profound inner explanation, for the Shabbos evening meal to enjoy based in the highest sources of holiness. I was greatly impressed by some good traditional food, sing his logical and heartfelt words, and I began to understand that Yiddishkait Shabbos songs and hymns, and my is not a world of dry laws bereft of father would say a d’var Torah. After any logic or reason. After a conversation lasting several hours, the meal, I would go with my friends to he managed to awaken my long- dormant Jewish faith and the local pub or the dance club to spend conscience, and I resolved to start putting on t’fillin again each my leisure time. weekday morning. During the first four months, this proved a bit Shabbos evening meal to enjoy some laws and customs without reason or difficult, and I had to force myself to good traditional food, sing Shabbos explanation. I was in great turmoil, take the t’fillin out of the bag and songs and hymns, and my father and nothing that anyone had to offer roll up my sleeve. would say a d’var Torah. After the me could satisfy this inner craving. “One day, as I started saying the meal, I would go with my friends to “While I was in this state of Shmoneh Esrei, and I read the the local pub or the dance club to confusion, I was inducted into the words ‘Baruch Ata Hashem’ I spend my leisure time. This was a Israel Defense Forces as a realized for the first time in my life normal mode of conduct for me and paratrooper. Despite the mental and that that praying was a means of my family. physical hardships of serving in a speaking directly to G-d, not just “I would go out every day battlefront unit, I succeeded in reading a text. I began to understand without a kippa or tzitzis. This completing my service in the role of that there was something deep and continued until the age of seventeen, commander. profound here, something very inner when I stopped fulfilling mitzvos “During my time in the army, I and essential, and not just the altogether, as I thought by this time had many occasions to ponder the recitation of some monologue. From that I already knew everything that many burning questions that that moment, a sense of true Yiras Judaism had to offer. While I still engulfed my mind regarding the Hashem began to sprout within me. had a feeling of emptiness and soul- essence of life and our purpose in Coming to Chabad was a case of searching, my search was this world. These questions grew in complete Divine Providence, concentrated outside of Judaism, my mind with even greater intensity resulting from my desire to contact which I deemed to be a world of after I received my military

8 8 Elul 5769 BEIS MOSHIACH 709:Beis Moshiach 23/08/2009 11:01 PM Page 9

my friend from India. “I had met a friend, Yaniv Cohen, when I was in Thailand, and we had traveled together in India. We would customarily visit the local ‘Chabad Houses’ during our stay in the country, was and while I was more open, Yaniv was very antagonistic towards Judaism. When I heard from a mutual acquaintance that Yaniv had returned to Eretz Yisroel, I picked up the phone to chat with him about what had transpired since we last saw each other. His father answered, and he told me that Yaniv was studying in a yeshiva. The very thought that Yaniv would come close Local revolutionaries. (From left to right): Rabbi Omri Ben-Akiva, Rabbi Reuven Ben-Chamo, Rabbi Alon Iluz to Judaism seemed totally unrealistic to me. I asked his father what he actually feel that you love him and meant, and he replied, ‘A yeshiva for understand his struggle can have a baalei t’shuva.’ I was stunned. I then powerful effect that can totally asked the father where the yeshiva change his way of life. was, and he told me that it was “After that Shabbos, I decided to located in Ramat Aviv. When I accept upon myself the saying of finally reached Yaniv, he proceeded each day. to tell me with great excitement “Nevertheless, the inner turmoil about his journey to the traditions of within me had still not quieted. his forefathers, and he invited me to Lacking proper guidance, I spend Shabbos in the yeshiva. We continued to experience a lengthy Making seider. Rabbi Omri Ben-Akiva continued to maintain regular period of confusion. I had many and Rabbi Reuven Ben-Chamo during contact with one another, and our conflicts and difficulties, and the conversations were very energizing. the final preparations before the Chabad absolute transition to a life of Torah House’s communal Pesach seider “After a few months, he and mitzvos scared me a little. Yet, succeeded in convincing me to come wherever I went, I remained loyal to that I decided to keep Shabbos.” to the yeshiva for Shabbos. It was my kiruv process. I had my ups and Not long afterwards, Omri the most unique and marvelous downs, but I always learned the daily returned to the yeshiva in Ramat Shabbos in my life. Rabbi Marzel, Tanya shiur. While I understood Aviv, this time as a student, not just one of the rabbanim of the yeshiva, virtually nothing, I felt that this was a visitor. Now, everything seemed gave a d’var Torah before Kabbalas something deep and very powerful much easier. Shabbos, and his words felt like a that poured new life into me each At the conclusion of two years’ ‘closing of the circle’. My joy knew day.” study in the “Ramat Avivian” no bounds. During his reserve duty in yeshiva, where he delved deeply into “Another aspect to the yeshiva Ramallah, young Omri and another the magical world of chassidus, he that really moved me was the mutual soldier were guests in the home of reached the stage when shidduch sense of brotherhood, partnership, one of the settlers on a nearby offers were deemed appropriate, and and true ‘Ahavas Yisroel’. We don’t yishuv, where they felt the magical he established a proper chassidic always realize what tremendous beauty of Shabbos – the challos, the home with his wife, Yael, another influence a little gentle treatment can candles, and the peace and Teverya Illit native who also have upon a lost young Jewish soul tranquility. “After years of running underwent a similar kiruv process. looking for the right path. Tender away from tradition, I suddenly From the very start of their journey loving care, genuine concern, and a understood how precious the together, it was clear to the young warm embrace so that he can Shabbos really was, and it was there couple that they would dedicate their

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 709 9 709:Beis Moshiach 23/08/2009 11:01 PM Page 10

their programs. “On one of the first days of my neighborhood activities, I met Rabbi Reuven Ben-Chamo. I discovered that not only was I was not the only Chabadnik in the neighborhood, he had even been there for some time, and was already involved in outreach work. We decided to operate as a team in order to enhance and strengthen the spreading of the wellsprings of chassidus. “The Chabad House was officially dedicated three years ago on Yud Shvat at an especially joyous farbrengen organized by Teverya’s central Chabad House in Purim costume Gemach. Rabbi Alon Iluz greets children from all parts of the cooperation with Rabbi Shneur community to borrow Purim costumes Zalman HaLevi Turkoff – director of the ‘Ruach Al HaMayim’ Chabad We don’t always realize what House in the city’s center, and Rabbi Reuven Gol. Rabbi Yosef tremendous influence a little gentle Kramer opened the farbrengen with treatment can have upon a lost young an explanation on the essence of the day of Yud Shvat. Rabbi Ben-Chamo Jewish soul looking for the right path. and I detailed our planned activities before the participants and invited Tender loving care, genuine concern, them to take part in our daily prayer services and other programs.” and a warm embrace so that he can Within a relatively short period of time, the pair of shluchim saw actually feel that you love him and evidence of G-d’s help and understand his struggle can have a tremendous success in their activities. Their friends and powerful effect that can totally change supporters grew in number, as more and more people were exposed to his way of life. the teachings of chassidus and the light of the Rebbe, Melech lives to preparing another spot on bringing the light they discovered to HaMoshiach, including the the globe for the revelation of the their friends and acquaintances. announcement of the Redemption Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach, and Thus, they found themselves coming and the identity of the Redeemer. connecting to the shlichus empire to Teverya Illit several times a week After six months, they moved to a upon which the sun never sets. “The and establishing Torah classes there, larger facility, where they conduct desire to go out on shlichus burned which they held at the homes of neighborhood Chabad activities to within my bones like an intense local friends. One shiur followed this very day. inner strength,” described Rabbi another, and the circle of The amazing story about how Omri Ben-Akiva. participants grew continually, until they obtained the funds for their During the first months after they made the decision to form their new building demonstrates how their marriage, they lived in the own institution. They received the vitally important it is to remain Chabad community of Tzfas, while permission of the Rebbe’s head steadfast in achieving one’s goals. they looked for an appropriate place shliach in Teverya, Rabbi Yosef “Even before we arrived to start to go out on shlichus. They Kramer, who gave them use of a official activities in Teverya Illit, we eventually decided to go back to the vacant building, which had formerly would come each week to give over neighborhood where they grew up, housed a Chabad kindergarten, for

10 8 Elul 5769 BEIS MOSHIACH 709:Beis Moshiach 23/08/2009 11:01 PM Page 11

a Tanya class, each time in a different neighborhood home. There was a Jewish resident in the community whom we always asked to participate in our Torah classes. While we could see that he really wanted to come, something always seemed to come up and he couldn’t make it. I didn’t give up, and I would invite him each week, despite the fact that I assumed that some excuse would keep him from participating. The week I arrived in the neighborhood, I was delighted to meet him on the street. “Before I had a chance to say a word, he came towards me and gave a warm welcome. ‘This week, the Bein HaZ’manim at the Chabad House. Yeshiva students farbrenging at the Chabad House with rabbanim and mashpiim class is at my house,’ he declared. Since then, this shiur has developed shiur, we send an SMS message to and expanded, and I have come to all the women in our database to know many more Jews who are now remind them to attend, and more regular participants in these classes. women subsequently join our Each one resolved to become growing list of participants. One of stronger in various spiritual matters. these women is a longtime friend of When I needed to find a new my wife who had yet to come to any building, I decided to make an of our classes. Every time we would appeal before these people, and they meet her during the year, we would declared then and there that they give her a reminder about an would cover the rent expense for the upcoming event. She would promise new building. others who simply have nowhere to to make an effort to come, but it “The shiurim are an important eat on Shabbos and Yom tov.” never seemed to work out. part of our work,” says Rabbi Omri The Jewish revolution and the “One week, she did manage to Ben-Akiva. “They possess the power return to true Torah values come, and my wife greeted her with to create great change and reveal the throughout Teverya Illit is a growing a warm welcome. In the meantime, light of the soul. We conduct several and rising phenomenon. While many more and more women arrived, and classes during the week for men and other organizations have now they chatted with one another before women on a variety of subjects, all become partners in this effort, the the start of the class. I happened to of which are held in a very pleasant trailblazers were, of course, the hear this woman mention the name family atmosphere. The Chabad shluchim. Rabbi Ben-Akiva gives of a certain young man. When I House also holds regular prayer much credit to the neighborhood heard his name, I was quite services on Shabbos and weekdays. Torah classes for this inundation. surprised; he was a friend of mine Similarly, there is an extensive array Stories of miraculous instances of from long ago. of seasonal activities. Taking into Divine Providence happen virtually “In any event, the scheduled time consideration the fact that many on a daily basis. When we asked for the start of the class had arrived, Jews in this community are not in a Rabbi Ben-Akiva to give us an and we began to learn. At the end of very good financial state, we also example, he told this fascinating the shiur, my wife began to tell her find ourselves providing assistance story: weekly story about the Rebbe. We of a more material nature. This is “One of our more popular had been reading from the seifer achieved through the distribution of classes for women is a shiur I give ‘V’Rabbim Heishiv M’Avon’ (And he pre-holiday food packages and called ‘The Secret of the Soul of brought back many from iniquity), making weekly Friday night meals Man’, which takes place on Tuesday and she told about a couple that had for the poor and destitute, and evenings. Each week before the been married for several years, but

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 709 11 709:Beis Moshiach 23/08/2009 11:06 PM Page 12

father speak about the problems of “During that Shabbos, the first his infant daughter, and I try to find Katyusha rockets fell on Teverya, and the connection necessary to reach his heart and the heart of every such there was tremendous panic throughout person – without arrogance, without admonition – simply to understand, the city. Everyone ran to the bomb to listen, to take notice. This is my formula. On the other hand, shelters to take cover, and chaos together with this approach of camaraderie and speaking to them reigned in the streets. All this took place on their level, we must help them just as we had finished Friday night understand that we do have some knowledge to give them.” davening and were on our way home to Rabbi Ben-Akiva receives a considerable amount of assistance make Kiddush.” from the students of the Chabad yeshiva in Tzfas, who come to the had yet to be blessed with children point, she added that she had been Chabad House as part of the despite all the fertility treatments. married for three years already and “ Bein HaZ’manim” They had the privilege of going still had no children. It turned out framework, conducted each year in for ‘yechidus’ before the Rebbe, that her coming to the shiur was not during the months of Nissan and where they mentioned their plight by chance, as she obviously had to Menachem Av. Dozens of T’mimim, and asked for his bracha. The Rebbe hear this story… who have no constructive way to asked the husband if he had gone “On the spot, my wife made me spend their time at home during the out with a young woman on a a shliach to ask forgiveness from this spring and summer vacations, move shidduch and caused her any man. I called him the very next day, to Teverya, where they learn half a emotional pain. He recalled that and we broke into a little nostalgia day and go out on mivtzaim there was such an incident. The with some stories from our youth. At throughout the city during the other Rebbe said that he must ask the conclusion of the conversation, I half. “This arrangement began forgiveness from this young woman, raised the issue at hand and during the Second Lebanon War,” and as a result, he would be blessed proceeded to tell him the whole recalled Rabbi Ben-Akiva. “Each with his own personal salvation and story. After he happily agreed to Shabbos, we would customarily this young woman would find a forgive the woman, I quickly called bring two yeshiva bachurim from proper match. The man called the her to give an update on the new Tzfas to the Chabad House to assist woman’s brother, and by Divine developments. This whole story us in our activities. So it was on one Providence, she was there at the seemed like an incredible case of particular Shabbos. time. He asked forgiveness from the Divine Providence. “During that Shabbos, the first woman, and she forgave him. Just a “A short while later, my wife told Katyusha rockets fell on Teverya, month later, he heard that the me that this woman had quietly told and there was tremendous panic woman was engaged to be married, her that she was expecting a throughout the city. Everyone ran to and not long afterwards, he and his child…” the bomb shelters to take cover, and wife learned that they would soon be A significant part of the chaos reigned in the streets. All this blessed with a child. neighborhood outreach activities is took place just as we had finished “Suddenly, my wife’s friend conducted among the youth, and I Friday night davening and were on reacted. ‘I knew that he hadn’t asked Rabbi Ben-Akiva what is the our way home to make Kiddush. We forgiven me,’ she said out loud. My most direct path toward reaching the debated whether we should go out wife already knew her friend’s story, hearts of these young people: on mivtzaim or have an extended and she asked her, ‘How do you “As time passes along my Shabbos meal. My wife posed the know?’ The woman replied that shlichus, I also make progress in my question to the Rebbe, Melech after she had broken up with the insight and understanding of ways to HaMoshiach, via a volume of ‘Igros young man, my longtime friend, he relate to them. From the very outset, Kodesh’. The answer was positively met her in the street and told her I established an ironclad principle amazing: The Rebbe wrote that even categorically that she had hurt him that I have to listen to people. I can before going off to the battlefield, and he would not forgive her. At this find myself listening to a young

12 8 Elul 5769 BEIS MOSHIACH 709:Beis Moshiach 23/08/2009 11:01 PM Page 13

soldiers sing Napoleon’s March. learning institutions for baalei mercy. Our generation is the After this crystal clear reply, we t’shuva – a yeshiva for men and a generation of the Redemption. quickly finished the seuda and went school for women – in every city. “There are those who think that out to the bomb shelters. Teverya has a population of about Moshiach is something that pertains “We moved from shelter to forty-five thousand people, and only to the distant future, and my shelter, giving emotional strength there’s certainly at least fifty job is to educated them to the fact and spiritual encouragement through potential yeshiva bachurim out here that Moshiach is a here and now the Rebbe’s holy message. We felt – we just have to provide them with issue. Anyone who wants to delve how we were bestowing a sense of the opportunity. During the first two into the subject more deeply will hope and faith to these people. As a years of this shlichus, I didn’t give receive the relevant explanations. On result, we decided to open an sufficient appreciation to the more than one occasion, I found ‘emergency yeshiva’ in the Chabad establishment of mosdos. Today, myself reassuring people about the House. These two bachurim however, I understand that while Redemption, as there are many fears remained with us, and we would mivtzaim and other seasonal connected with this. I always bring learn the first half of the day and go activities are extremely vital, they the words of the Rebbe that there out on mivtzaim for the second. can’t compare to full-fledged can be no worse suffering than what There is no doubt that the vitality, institutions in preserving and we presently endure in the exile. the strength, and the ability of the strengthening the level of influence.” “The ideas of Moshiach and the T’mimim is many times greater than The Rebbe says that the avoda of Redemption have penetrated the that of the “balabatim”. During the shlichus today must be instilled with world to such an extent that month of Menachem Av that year, the concept of Moshiach. When everybody knows about it, and there one of the bachurim called me and asked how he publicizes “the are even popular movies on this asked if I wanted to renew that same announcement of the Redemption” theme. Everyone feels that it’s schedule, and I happily agreed. and how this is actually carried out imminent, literally at the doorstep, “We opened ‘Yeshivas Bein on his shlichus, R’ Ben-Akiva and we only have to state things HaZ’manim.’ More bachurim came explains: clearly and succinctly, and with true this time, and we have run this “I simply do not get into any chassidic vigor. There’s no need to program four times since then. arguments with people. I tell them be ashamed, as this is the During the month, the yeshiva’s exactly what the Rebbe said, and unvarnished truth. We must explain rabbanim and mashpiim come to they accept it. This is the best and the process of Redemption and the farbreng with us, and all our friends most direct approach. In the identity of the Redeemer, Melech and supporters derive much pleasure neighborhood where I operate, the HaMoshiach, and we see from from the unique aura emanating Jews believe in the Alm-ghty with experience how these concepts are from their words. The experience pure and simple faith, so why accepted with the utmost simplicity. leaves a powerful impression not just shouldn’t these people believe in the The Rebbe says in ‘D’var Malchus’ on the bachurim, but on the local announcement of the Redemption that Eliyahu HaNavi will come to residents as well. from the Rebbe, Melech Teverya and announce the “The great dream is to establish HaMoshiach, especially when they’re Redemption, and all that remains is more institutions. It’s possible to all familiar with the greatness of the for us to tell this to the city’s plow a deep furrow and lay an Rebbe? The only avoda left for me is residents and do everything possible abundance of seed, but if there’s no to bring them to a realization of that it should happen even one place to grow the fruits – this poses when and where. The Redemption moment sooner.” a serious problem. We must establish will take place in kindness and

 Express service texprx ahru,   Fully Computerized nnujac vnars 

331 Kingston Ave. (2nd Flr) Brooklyn NY 11213

Get your tickets within minutes! (718) 493-1111 ej t, vfryhx akl c,ul nxpr seu,! nxpr c,ul akl vfryhx t, ej Fax: (718) 493-4444

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 709 13 709:Beis Moshiach 23/08/2009 11:01 PM Page 14

miracle story

spend our first few days in a local hotel. “We got a room relatively small MILKAS for our large family, and the children, like all children, started to run wild, jump around, and make noise. During the two days we stayed in the hotel, my husband MIRACLE went out with the members of the local Jewish community in search of a house that would suit our needs, By Nosson Avrohom while I stayed behind to watch the children. There wasn’t much I could Translated by Michoel Leib Dobry do to keep them occupied, as I was primarily involved with caring for A few days later, we received the Rebbe’s the infant. At a certain point, I felt that I was at my wit’s end, trying to answer, written during Chol HaMoed exercise control over my four young children with nothing to keep them Sukkos of that year. We were told that if the constructively engaged. This was a virtually impossible task to fulfill. Rebbe writes and puts out a letter on Chol “On the afternoon of our second HaMoed, he apparently sees the matter as day in the hotel, I wanted to give the baby a bath. As I was putting her in urgent, but this letter sounded very simple. the bathroom sink, I suddenly noticed my eyesight becoming Without any bracha or any words of unusually blurry. I later realized that there was yellow ragweed growing encouragement: “Check t’fillin and from the bathroom window. It was hay fever season at the time, and it mezuzos. I will mention it at the Tziyon.” I causes many people to endure a was very disappointed. At least if the Rebbe severe allergic reaction, with fuzzy vision as one of its symptoms. In any had suggested some help or assistance; at case, I rushed to close the hot water tap, but apparently did not shut it off least if he would have written a few words completely and it continued to drip onto Milka’s legs. of support, comfort, or empathy… “The child began to scream loudly, and when I realized that “It has been many years since I Agency to relocate to Toronto, boiling water was falling on her foot, last told this story,” long-time Haifa Canada, and serve as a teacher in I was terrified. I quickly took her resident Mrs. Esther Chaim told us Hebrew and Talmud in one of the out of the sink and laid her on the with a tinge of emotion. The story city’s Jewish schools. Sensing that bed. A quick glance at her foot itself took place more than forty this was a profoundly important revealed that the burn she had years ago, when Mrs. Chaim and her task, we decided to accept this sustained was relatively small, and I husband, Rabbi Yaakov, traveled to mission and set out together with began to calm down a bit. Since I Canada as representatives of the our four small children. Milka, our saw that there was apparently little Jewish Agency. youngest at the time, was only one damage, I was in no rush to take the “It began a few months after the month old. We packed up our bandages out of our luggage and miraculous victory of the Six Day belongings and boarded a plane treat the injury myself. Instead, I War,” began Mrs. Esther Chaim. headed overseas. When we arrived would take the baby to an expert “My husband, a trained educator, in Toronto, we still didn’t have a physician. was called upon by the Jewish house ready for us, and we had to “I quickly went to the hotel’s

14 8 Elul 5769 BEIS MOSHIACH 709:Beis Moshiach 23/08/2009 11:01 PM Page 15

front desk and ordered a taxi to take me to the local hospital. After waiting for a few minutes, I was brought in to the doctor. He noticed a festering area of pus resulting from the burn, but he declared that we have nothing to worry about, as the burn is relatively minor and it should heal within a couple of weeks. He applied some ointment on her tiny legs, placed bandages on them, and warned me not to remove the bandages for the next two weeks. Before I left the hospital, he assured me that everything would be fine. “To be perfectly honest, I found his diagnosis rather puzzling. When another of my daughters sustained a burn before we left Eretz Yisroel, the doctor applied a special cream developed in Eretz Yisroel and instructed me to change the dressing each day. It simply wasn’t rational to leave the bandages in place for two weeks without airing out the afflicted area. When I expressed my surprise to the doctor, bringing the When I expressed my surprise to the doctor, case of my older daughter as evidence, he became very angry and he became very angry and subjected me to a subjected me to a flood of scorn and flood of scorn and derision. ‘You’re in derision. ‘You’re in another country,’ he said tauntingly, as if I was another country,’ he said tauntingly, as if I questioning his professional qualifications. I preferred not to was questioning his professional argue with him too much and did as he instructed. qualifications. I preferred not to argue with “Ten days passed, and blood began to seep out of the bandages. A him too much and did as he instructed. friend of mine, who was with me at the time, noticed this and urged me dressing. I was in absolute shock deep regret that I had been lazy to go back to the doctor when I saw what lay under the about taking the bandages out of our immediately, but I was in no hurry. bandages, and I noticed that even suitcase and dressing the wound The doctor had seemed to be so the doctor had lost all self- myself. I had been so naïve in certain of his analysis that I was sure confidence. My motherly emotion thinking that a trained physician there was nothing to worry about. burst forth in all its strength, and would treat her better. “When the baby began to cry tears flowed down my cheeks. “I looked at the doctor with utter bitterly and wouldn’t calm down, we “The decaying leg emitted a contempt, but he just wrung his decided to take her back to the same pungent odor and was grossly hands in confusion. Deeply clinic. I can safely say that this was discolored in various shades, making embarrassed, he admitted that I was all in the merit of that friend, who it clearly obvious that something was right and gave me an immediate wouldn’t let up until I went to the seriously wrong. ‘Doctor,’ I barely referral to the central pediatric hospital. The same doctor was on managed to mutter in my anger, ‘it’s hospital. The situation left no time duty, and it was he who opened the far worse than it was when I brought to waste. We ran from the clinic her to you.’ I already had feelings of straight to the hospital, where the

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 709 15 709:Beis Moshiach 23/08/2009 11:01 PM Page 16

doctor on call examined the baby. “Among these local Jewish answer that even my grandfather Shocked by what he saw, he citizens who came to our assistance used to tell us all the time – if emphatically ordered that we have was a Chabad woman named Malka there’s a health problem in the her hospitalized immediately. After Levy. She heard our story and urged family or difficulties in making a expressing a few choice words for us to write to the Rebbe. living, you have to check the the doctor whose incompetence had “I am embarrassed to say this mezuzos and t’fillin. Today, I realize caused the whole problem, he told today, but what she said seemed a that I had a lot of nerve, but back us bluntly that he would try to save bit alien to us then. We had grown then I was still unfamiliar with the the legs. ‘If you would have come up and were educated in Torah Rebbe and had not been educated tomorrow, there might have been observant households, and we knew according to the principles of nothing left to save, and I would that in times of trouble, we had the chassidus and bittul to the Rebbe. I have been forced to amputate in Book of Psalms, through which we told my husband that we didn’t have order to prevent the decay from could turn to G-d in prayer and to check the mezuzos because we spreading to other limbs of the supplication. However, the meaning were just moving into our new body,’ the doctor explained. I stood behind the custom of writing to the house, and the mezuzos were brand there paralyzed. It was only at that Rebbe and what he could do to help new. The t’fillin also didn’t have to moment that I understood how us – we didn’t understand that at the be checked because we had them serious the situation was. time. checked before leaving Eretz Yisroel. “The doctor instructed that the “We refused her offer for several “A few more days passed, and baby be placed immediately in a days, but to her credit, she wouldn’t our daughter’s condition remained sterile room, where only I and the relent. We tried to get out of it with unchanged. Each day that I went in medical staff could enter with sterile a variety of excuses, but she kept to visit her, my heart simply broke to garb and masks. insisting and pressuring. Eventually, see her sad state. “Each time that I would enter the my husband gave in. ‘If it won’t “One day, my husband decided room, I would quietly murmur help, it surely won’t hurt,’ he said. to follow the Rebbe’s suggestion. chapters of T’hillim that I knew by ‘Let’s write and see what happens.’ ‘We’ve done everything possible that heart. Whenever I or some staff “She explained to us how you she should recover,’ he said. ‘What member would leave the room, we compose a letter to the Rebbe, and do we have to lose if we do as the would have to throw our clothes into we proceeded to write in detail Rebbe said?’ That same day, he sent the hospital laundry. The baby was about everything that we had his t’fillin to a sofer STaM known given hot baths each day, causing experienced since the day of our for his great yiras Shamayim, who her to scream and cry pitifully. She arrival in Canada. We asked for the checked them with the utmost would writhe and shake in agony, Rebbe’s bracha that our daughter precision. A few hours later, the and it tore my heart up. Then, as if should be healthy and her legs sofer called my husband and told all this wasn’t enough, the hospital should completely heal. him that while he didn’t see any real administration informed us that we “A few days later, we received the problem, he did notice that certain would have to start paying for each Rebbe’s answer, written during Chol words with the letter Tzaddik needed day of hospitalization – a sizable HaMoed Sukkos. We were told that some repair. amount of money. I felt that my if the Rebbe writes and puts out a “My husband’s t’fillin whole world was collapsing. letter on Chol HaMoed, he parchments were written in “In any event, our story quickly apparently sees the matter as urgent. Ashkenazic script, and the top of the made the rounds throughout the However, the Rebbe’s answer letter Tzaddik points in a different city’s Jewish community. Many good seemed very simple, almost routine. direction than it does in Sephardic people came to offer assistance – Without any bracha or any words of script. I found out that my husband whether moral, emotional, or encouragement: ‘Check t’fillin and once gave his t’fillin to be checked financial. Faced with the deep pain mezuzos. I will mention it at the by the father of one of his students. and anguish that this situation Tziyon.’ This sofer was of Moroccan descent, created, we still felt a bit uplifted by “I was very disappointed. At least and he ‘fixed’ the Tzaddik so it this revelation of solidarity expressed if the Rebbe had suggested some would appear according to by people whom we did not know, help or assistance; at least if he Sephardic custom, telling my connected to us by the simple fact would have written a few words of husband later that he had repaired ‘a that we were all members of the support, comfort, or empathy. Yet, small problem’. As it turned out, not Jewish People. the Rebbe instead wrote us an only was the problem not repaired, it

16 8 Elul 5769 BEIS MOSHIACH 709:Beis Moshiach 23/08/2009 11:08 PM Page 17

created a new and bigger problem. “We were most excited by this Today, I realize that I had a lot of nerve, astounding discovery. My husband but back then I was still unfamiliar with immediately stopped putting on these t’fillin, and borrowed from a the Rebbe and had not been educated friend until my parents managed to send him new t’fillin from Eretz according to the principles of chassidus Yisroel. “After a long and tiring month of and bittul to the Rebbe. I told my husband constant baths, the doctor decided to graft a piece of skin onto the leg. that we didn’t have to check the mezuzos The operation was performed, but because we were just moving into our new the procedure was unsuccessful, as the skin did not attach itself to the house, and the mezuzos were brand new. wound. He decided to make a second attempt, but the results were the same. When the doctor come to pass. “The Rebbe blessed each of the requested our permission to try a “We have understood ever since children, and when I eventually third operation, we refused. I saw about the tremendous strength of asked what we should do regarding how the child was suffering terribly, the Rebbe. I was sorry for every our child, who was in need of and I was very concerned that inappropriate thought I had ever had another operation to remove the scar further surgery would leave deep about the Rebbe’s instructions. completely, the Rebbe told us to do scars in her skin. The doctor fully “At the conclusion of three years, as the doctor instructed. I will never understood my position and told me when we finished our mission in forget how at the conclusion of the that I could take my daughter home. Canada and were getting ready to yechidus, I was so utterly enraptured Yet, while he said that for the return to Eretz Yisroel, we decided that I couldn’t move from my chair. immediate future, the operation that we would not miss the unique It was only with great difficulty that could wait, nevertheless, it would opportunity of meeting with the I got up and went outside. have to take place eventually. Rebbe in yechidus. We received an “We have been privileged ever “In the meantime, three days had appointment for two o’clock in the since to maintain a connection with passed since my husband had morning. We submitted a written list Chabad chassidus. I participate discovered the problem in his t’fillin. to the Rebbe containing our names regularly in Tanya classes given by ‘A tzaddik decrees, and G-d fulfills’ and our parents’ names, and we the Rebbe’s shliach in Haifa, Rabbi – I have no other words to describe thanked him for the bracha that Dov Ginsburg, and I previously what happened then to our saved our daughter’s life. participated in shiurim with Rabbi daughter. I suddenly looked at the “In all the excitement, my Reuven Dunin, of blessed memory.” place of the wound with disbelieving husband forgot to write his mother’s *** eyes. Hair had begun to grow on the name, and this was the Rebbe’s first Mrs. Chaim concludes her story skin that the doctor had question to my husband. He replied with undisguised excitement, ‘unsuccessfully’ grafted. The ‘Chaya’, and the Rebbe took a elaborating at length about the great meaning was clear: The wound had pencil, added the name ‘Chaya’ to privilege she has had in knowing the healed! the list, and then nodded his head. I Rebbe and learning the teachings of “I was absolutely stunned. All the felt this represented the embodiment Chabad chassidus, which were like pain and pessimism that I had of the Midrash stating that Moshe cold water for her thirsty soul. endured over the last month had Rabbeinu knew each and every “Today,” she says, “my daughter, instantly been transformed into great member of the Jewish People. I was Milka, who merited this miracle as a joy. I literally started to sing and mesmerized and held spellbound by result of the Rebbe’s bracha, is dance. When the doctor examined the Rebbe’s gaze, as if I was being x- involved in the mitzvah of settling the child, he was no less rayed. One look of the Rebbe was Eretz Yisroel, living on the thunderstruck. He said quite simply enough for me to feel that he knows settlement of Yitzhar, mother of that we had experienced a miracle, my entire past, reads my every eleven children, and she has already and we knew all too well in whose thought, and sees what is bound to been privileged to dance at the merit this amazing wonder had happen to me. The Rebbe’s eyes wedding of her second child…” were filled with love and expression.

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 709 17 709:Beis Moshiach 23/08/2009 11:01 PM Page 18

moshaich & geula

of the Chabad movement. After an intensive study of the Rebbe’s writings, I came to the OPEN conclusion that I wrote in my book, which was also approved by other academicians before the book went to print. My conclusion is that the Rebbe operates with the THE BOOK consciousness of Moshiach. The Rebbe’s writings leave no room for doubt as to Moshiach’s identity, at least as far as how the Rebbe sees things. AND SEE I ignored the statements of Chassidim who said, “The Rebbe told me …” I was only interested in By Dr. Yaakov Gottlieb the sichos the Rebbe gave over publicly, the ones nobody disputes Teacher at Darkei Noam yeshiva high school the Rebbe said. I focused mainly on the edited sichos, especially the “I had to set aside all my previous ideas D’var Malchus which are quite clear. and then tackle the sources. I wanted to know how the Rebbe understands the FORCING ALL ISRAEL I will focus here on the signs of Rambam’s Laws of Moshiach and Moshiach according to the Rambam, but first I will preface whether there was a connection between that with an important point. In Parshas Shmini, the his understanding and all the activities Rebbe brings a chakira of the Rogatchover Gaon as to whether of the Chabad movement.” * The the kosher signs on animals are just following is a speech given by Dr. Yaakov signs that let us know which animals are kosher or whether the Gottlieb at a Moshiach and Geula sign itself is what makes the animal kosher. gathering on in Bat-Yam. So too, when we speak about the signs of Moshiach, they can be In my recently published book, used to prove and clarify who Sichlitanut b’Levush Chassidi – Moshiach is, but in my book I took Demuso shel ha’Rambam a different and powerful approach, b’Chassidus Chabad (Rationalism in that the simanim of Moshiach in Chassidic Garb – the Rambam in the Rambam are a reason and a Chabad Chassidus), there is a cause, and serve as a blueprint for section on inyanei Moshiach and the activities of Moshiach. Geula. Before I studied the subject, In other words, the Rebbe’s I had to set aside all my previous activities follow the guiding ideas and then tackle the sources. I principles of the laws of Moshiach wanted to know how the Rebbe in the Rambam as he understands understands the Rambam’s Laws of them, and these signs are what Moshiach and whether there was a guide him. The Rebbe’s activities connection between his are practical interpretations of the understanding and all the activities laws of Moshiach.

18 8 Elul 5769 BEIS MOSHIACH 709:Beis Moshiach 23/08/2009 11:01 PM Page 19

with the strength of his spiritual The Rebbe’s activities follow the force and with the power of the guiding principles of the laws of great light that impacts on all Jews in the world. Moshiach in the Rambam as he FIGHTING THE understands them, and these signs are WARS OF HASHEM what guide him. The Rebbe’s activities The Rambam goes on to say, “He will fight the wars of Hashem.” are practical interpretations of the laws Of course you can explain this literally, that Moshiach will take of Moshiach. weapons and fight, but we know that there are other kinds of From this perspective, all the to their Father in heaven is with victories. According to Chazal, mivtzaim (mitzva campaigns) and love. when Moshe Rabbeinu killed the shluchim around the world are the We find something like this Egyptian, he did so by uttering the Rebbe’s interpretation of the regarding Har Sinai. It says that Ineffable Name of G-d. The Rambam’s description, “He will Hashem “held the mountain over Rambam himself, in his Letter to compel all Israel to follow in its them like a barrel.” Chassidus Yemen, brings in regards to [the Torah’s] ways and strengthen explains that this doesn’t mean Moshiach the verse, “with the its breaches.” There are people who physical forcing with an actual breath of his lips he will kill the think that the Rambam means mountain but a G-dly revelation wicked.” forcing people with whips but the that was so powerful that it was The Rebbe wages the wars of Rebbe explains it otherwise. The impossible to withstand it. So too, Hashem in his own way, with Rebbe writes that in our generation, the Rebbe’s compelling people to spiritual power. Here too there are the only way to be mekarev people return to their Father in heaven is different types of wars of Hashem

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 709 19 709:Beis Moshiach 23/08/2009 11:01 PM Page 20

the Rambam writes, “and he will When I speak about hiskashrus to the then perfect the entire world to Rebbe, I mean a combination of things: serve G-d together.” It is because the Rebbe operates letters in the Igros Kodesh, learning his not only among Jews but with the entire world that the Rebbe receives teachings, and readiness to accept universal recognition. The Rebbe’s birthday is marked every year as instructions from the Rebbe and change Education Day for the entire country of the United States, in my life. This hiskashrus to the Rebbe acknowledgment of the Rebbe’s and his derech brought bracha and achievements. healing for my son, and the Rebbe’s WHEN THE REBBE bracha accompanies my family until SPEAKS ABOUT HIS BIRTHDAY AND THE today. BEGINNING OF HIS LEADERSHIP that the Rebbe wages. THE WORLD WILL I was asked to speak about my There is a very interesting BE FILLED WITH personal relationship with the expression that the Rebbe uses to KNOWLEDGE OF G-D Rebbe. One of the things that led to infer that in certain areas the matter my connection with the Rebbe was of “he will wage the wars of The Rebbe’s work in spreading my oldest son’s illness fourteen Hashem and be victorious” has the wellsprings of Chassidus is also years ago. He was very sick and already taken place. The Rebbe connected with the Rambam’s Laws time was slipping through our describes the collapse of the of Moshiach. The Rambam placed fingers. Medication and treatments communist bloc, which took place the knowledge of G-d at the heart were not helping. Then I began to without any violence, as a “war of of the topic of Moshiach, “and the connect to the Rebbe. When I peace.” The way the Rebbe sees it, world will be filled with the speak about hiskashrus to the it happened through the power of knowledge of G-d like waters cover Rebbe, I mean a combination of Moshiach. the seabed.” The Rebbe says that it things: letters in the Igros Kodesh, The Rebbe viewed the first Gulf is impossible to make a change learning his teachings, and War as part of the wars of from one extreme to another, that readiness to accept instructions Moshiach too. The Rebbe writes the world before Geula doesn’t from the Rebbe and change my life. that it entailed miracles of “killing know G-d and suddenly, with This hiskashrus to the Rebbe and the Egyptians with their firstborn,” Geula, He is revealed. The change his derech brought bracha and without the direct involvement of must be gradual. Therefore, as a healing for my son, and the Rebbe’s Israel. The nations of the world are preparation for Geula, we have to bracha accompanies my family until already doing the work on our spread the knowledge of G-d today. behalf, and this, says the Rebbe, is through the dissemination of Back then, when I began also through the power of Chassidus. studying the D’var Malchus, each Moshiach. The Rebbe operates not only Shabbos I was surprised anew by There are also literal wars that among Jews but also universally. the intensity and clarity of what was are taking place in Israel and the The purpose of his promoting the written there, and how in these Rebbe worked on spiritual fronts Seven Noachide Laws and the sichos the Rebbe enables us to for victory by sending shluchim to Moment of Silence in American understand the era we are in. When army bases, writing a Torah scroll, public schools is to instill faith in we want to understand what mivtza t’fillin, printing the Tanya, the Creator even among non-Jews. Gimmel Tammuz is, we simply need and many other activities whose Some people criticized the to open the D’var Malchus for goal was to give spiritual strength Rebbe for these campaigns, failing Gimmel Tammuz and learn about for victory in the wars in Eretz to recognize them as Messianic the significance of the day. It’s Yisroel. activities, in accordance with what written there explicitly.

20 8 Elul 5769 BEIS MOSHIACH 709:Beis Moshiach 23/08/2009 11:01 PM Page 21

One of the strongest sources are varied perspectives on Gimmel was hidden from the eye but which, in my opinion, is not Tammuz to the point that some remained standing in its place till emphasized enough is the sicha of people ask whether we have a today, except that it became 22 Shevat, the Rebbetzin’s source in Judaism for the approach elevated and sanctified so much yahrtzait, 5752. The Rebbe speaks that separates True Reality from the that it is invisible to our physical about the number eleven which is reality we see with our eyes. eyes, like an angel which cannot be p’nimius ha’kesser up to and Rabbi Zimroni Tzik once seen. I including Atzmus u’Mehus. In showed me a very interesting “It says that in the future, a footnote #50 the Rebbe refers to Midrash from Midrash Raba. On Mikdash of fire will descend. If his own birthday on and the verse, “and Moshe fled from that’s the case, how will we fulfill to the beginning of his leadership before Pharaoh,” it says, “Rabbi our obligation of building the on 11 Shevat, 5711. Yanai questioned, is it possible for Mikdash? How will we be able to The Rebbe writes there, “and a human being to run from before sanctify and dedicate the Mikdash? one can say that the eleventh day of royalty? Rather, when Moshe was This is why it says, ‘Hoshana v’har the first month (Nissan) is caught and sentenced to have his yeira’eh,’ for today we stand and connected with the beginning of the head cut off, an angel came down see the mountain in its desolation revelation – ‘the birth’ – of the from heaven. They caught what and the house of worship that aspect of eleven, and the eleventh seemed to them to be the image of appears to be there. Therefore we day of the eleventh month is Moshe while Moshe fled.” I merely ask, Hoshana – help us, please, to connected with the completion of quote the Midrash; it’s up to each open our blind eyes – [does this the revelation of the eleventh month person to draw their own imagery remind anyone of in a way of revealed nesius.” conclusions. anything? Does it sound a lot like The Rebbe is saying an amazing There is another source from an ‘open your eyes?’ YG] to see zevul thing here. On his birthday on 11 unexpected place, a talk that I tifartecha – the Mikdash in all its Nissan, there was “born” and began came across from the previous glory as it has stood all along.” the revelation of p’nimius ha’kesser Tzanzer Rebbe. It’s amazing and “Hoshana chono Dovid,” the up to and including Atzmus speaks for itself. He spoke about Tzanzer Admur went on, “applies u’Mehus in this world; on the day hoshanos on Sukkos, “Hoshana this same idea to Dovid Malka that began his leadership, the 11th v’har yeira’eh, zevul tifartecha” – Meshicha. The day of redemption of Shevat, there was an elevation in “It is brought that when the of our soul is near and Moshiach the revelation of the p’nimius destruction of the Beis HaMikdash Tzidkeinu is standing in ha’kesser and Atzmus u’Mehus to took place, the wicked did not have Yerushalayim the holy city in the point of revealed nesius. control over the house of Hashem concealed form, and he stands and I think that this is something because the Beis HaMikdash and waits for when his time will come that should speak to each one of us. its vessels were hidden and in their and he will be instructed by heaven It’s a source that needs to be place were charred bits of stone to reveal himself for all the Jewish publicized, and requires serious and wood. people to see him.” thought as to its implications. To the eye, however, it looked May we merit to soon see like the Mikdash was burned. Melech HaMoshiach with the true “My heart tells me,” he and complete Redemption. SURPRISING SOURCES continued, “that this idea means it Among Chabad Chassidim there Raskin's Consistently “if it grows we have it” Superior Fruit and Produce Emporium WHOLESALE & RETAIL Michal & We Deliver 335 Kingston Ave. Brooklyn NY 11213 * Tel: (718) 756-3888 756-2221 * Fax: 756-2440

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 709 21 709:Beis Moshiach 23/08/2009 11:01 PM Page 22

shlichus 770 IN ZICHRON YAAKOV

By Nosson Avrohom Less than a year ago, a replica of 770 was completed in Zichron Yaakov. The shliach, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Freiman, was the first shliach in Eretz Yisroel to build a 770 replica outside of a Chabad community. The new building has generated much interest and attracted people who would not otherwise come to Rabbi Freiman with the 770 a shul. replica in the background

For two years, Rabbi Yosef This 770 replica is the first Meir Freiman a”h, who served as Yitzchok Freiman and his wife Ruti, Chabad house of its kind in Eretz chairman of the Reshet Oholei Yosef shluchim in the northern moshava of Yisroel. The other models in Kfar Yitzchok. He and his wife absorbed Zichron Yaakov, were busy Chabad, Ramat Shlomo in an ethos of action and shlichus supervising the construction crew as Yerushalayim, and in Kiryat Ata according to the Rebbe’s horaos, in they built a three story shul, modeled belong to Chabad k’hillos. R’ their homes. They went to Zichron after 770. They wanted it to be as Freiman hopes that other shluchim Yaakov, a moshava with 15,000 identical as possible to the original will follow him and he would be residents, which is located on a 770, Beis Rabbeinu Sh’B’Bavel. happy to share the architectural mountain that overlooks the When it was finally finished, the plans and his experience. Mediterranean, along the coast road shluchim were ecstatic. “I feel that “The Chabad outreach here is between Chaifa and Tel Aviv. we got a gift from the Rebbe,” said divided into the period before the R’ Freiman. “When we came here new building and the period after it. A SURPRISING AND eleven years ago, we had two long- It definitely upgraded our work range plans, to build a replica of 770 many times over and brought us SUCCESSFUL BEGINNING and to open a Jewish heritage center people who we had a hard time In the winter of 5642/1882, a for tourists. Our first dream has reaching previously.” group of Romanian pioneers arrived come true.” R’ Freiman is the son of Rabbi at a peak that overlooked the sea

22 8 Elul 5769 BEIS MOSHIACH 709:Beis Moshiach 23/08/2009 11:02 PM Page 23

ground had been well prepared before his arrival. The day after their arrival, they began their outreach by bringing after-school Torah classes to the secular schools. During the month of Elul, R’ Freiman visited preschools and blew the shofar and explained what Elul and the Yomim Nora’im are about, and for Sukkos he built a sukka in the center of the yishuv. Their outreach continued to be small scale and routine like any Chabad house that is starting out. Then, from heaven, came the Hakafos Shniyos, which catapulted them to a whole new level. It was Chol HaMoed Sukkos when the religious city council announced that the traditional main Hakafos Shniyos were canceled because of the anticipated rain. R’ Freiman jumped at this opportunity and decided he would make Hakafos Shniyos instead. Hundreds of people showed up to Chabad’s Hakafos Shniyos and R’ Freiman’s first public event was a great success. It was attended by rabbanim of the moshava and distinguished public figures. It was Zichron Yaakov’s first chance to get acquainted with the new Chabad house and the one who ran it.

BUILDING IN “DREAMS” and they settled the lands of Zamrin. They also founded a vintners union. Economic difficulties and disease Since then, the moshava has had its It seems somewhat symbolic that caused some of them to leave and ups and downs but all residents and the new 770 building was built in the new yishuv’s existence was leaders of the yishuv always the neighborhood called Chalomot threatened. appreciated the strategic importance (dreams of) Zichron. Incredibly, A few years later, Baron Edmond of the place. precisely 770 apartments were Rothschild took the new settlement Despite the impressive constructed in this new under his wing and began laying the development over the years, the neighborhood. Really! plans for the real estate and farming moshava continues to preserve its Those who celebrated the development of the small settlement. rustic flavor and today there is a Chanukas HaBayis just under a year He brought an engineer to lay the mixed population, most of whom are ago knew that this wasn’t merely the plans for the yishuv and after much well established economically and celebration of the shluchim but a discussion, the grapevine became the socially. special day for all the residents of settlement’s main crop in the section Chabad’s presence in Zichron Zichron, from the laborers to the designated for farming. Yaakov began with shliach, Rabbi leadership. People came en masse to Ten years later, in 5655/1895, a Yosef Yitzchok Katz. With R’ see the unusual building. winery was established in Zichron Freiman’s arrival there was a Even now, when the initial Yaakov which exists till this day. changing of the guard but the excitement has died down, many

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 709 23 709:Beis Moshiach 23/08/2009 11:02 PM Page 24

seriousness, “There is no shliach in The red, three-story building from New Zichron Yaakov. Maybe we got stuck York has become an international here because this is where your shlichus is!” They quickly went on to Jewish landmark. Even people who are other topics. Some time later, the Freimans far from Judaism and Chabad identify were looking for a place to go on shlichus. Tzeirei Chabad suggested a with the symbol and are amazed to see number of places, including Zichron Yaakov. After looking into it and it in their very own neighborhood. consulting with people, they decided to check out Zichron Yaakov, and people still go to visit the place, to said to me, “Generally speaking, we the rest is history. see it from up close. The red, three- are involved in the Rebbe’s inyanim A few years after that event, the story building from New York has but when you see this building, you Freimans moved from a rented become an international Jewish can say that we are mamash involved apartment to their own home. It was landmark. Even people who are far with the Rebbe.” only when he arrived there with the from Judaism and Chabad identify The city council head and his moving truck that he suddenly with the symbol and are amazed to wife recently visited our 770. As soon realized that the new house was see it in their very own as they walked in, she was very opposite the grassy area where the neighborhood. moved, especially after she heard my bus had stopped on that outing. R’ Freiman wrote the following explanations about the k’dusha and “Those who heard of my plans of on his blog shortly before the the significance of the place. “I am building a replica of 770 and a Chanukas HaBayis: so happy that my husband and I museum for tourists thought I was When we began building 770 of have a share in this,” she exclaimed. dreaming. This was our dream even Zichron Yaakov, I was excited when I though we didn’t have the land or saw people passing by and looking at AN OFFHAND REMARK connections in the right places, not the building and becoming enthused. THAT CAME TO FRUITION to mention that - of course! - we To us, saying 770 is simple but for didn’t have the money.” people who aren’t religious yet, it I went to visit Zichron Yaakov to check it out and quickly came to isn’t simple at all. A GIFT FROM THE REBBE I explain to them that the Rebbe realize that this project didn’t has been sitting in 770 in New York happen overnight. I must start with When R’ Freiman speaks about for decades and from there, light goes the story of how the shluchim came his 770 building he stresses that it forth to the entire world. I remind to the moshava. wasn’t built as a result of his hard whoever passes by about the Eleven years ago, R’ Freiman work and talent but it’s a gift from Chanukas HaBayis and nearly all of traveled with his father-in-law, the Rebbe. Even when he is them say, “Of course we will be Rabbi Elimelech Shachar, director of physically distant from 770, R’ there.” All the residents here feel that mosdos Chabad in Rechovot, and Freiman is connected to it, heart and this is their personal simcha. Today, some other Lubavitcher families soul. When I refer to this he is we went to all the store owners in including the Chabad rav of dismissive and says every Chassid Zichron Yaakov and gave out Rechovot, Rabbi Gluckowsky. They has a natural connection to 770 and invitations. People were excited. They had rented a bus for an excursion to it makes no difference how much all said they’re looking forward to the the Golan Heights to relax a little time or which period he spent there. Chanukas HaBayis. Many of them during the hot summer. As they “I learned in the yeshiva high said, “You are only here eleven years, passed Zichron Yaakov, the Arab school in Rishon L’Tziyon. It was a how did you manage this?” I say the driver decided to quit the journey special time. I was the chozer of the same thing to all of them, “It’s a gift because of all the noisy children. Rebbe’s sichos when we would wake from the Rebbe.” Stranded, all the passengers got up for broadcasts. As the Chassidim Today, too, there is no question off and sat on the grass on the side in 770 sang, I would review the that the Rebbe is with us and those of the road until another bus would sichos, which had been said in things which the Rebbe bequeathed - come. R’ Shachar commented to his Yiddish, for my friends. not only are they ongoing; they are son-in-law and daughter, half “In 5749/1989, when I finished growing. A friend who visited here jokingly but with a note of high school, I begged my parents to

24 8 Elul 5769 BEIS MOSHIACH 709:Beis Moshiach 23/08/2009 11:02 PM Page 25

let me go and learn in so I could be close to the Rebbe. At first they refused but when they finally consented, I was thrilled.” After spending a few marvelous years in Crown Heights, you can understand why all his mekuravim in Zichron Yaakov are aware of the importance of 770, the original one. “One of the mekuravim, a contractor, is a wonderful person by the name of Oded Turgeman. He felt an enormous connection to the idea of ‘Rebbe’ and ‘770.’ I got to know him when he sold us our house and he is the one we hired to turn the parking lot near our house into a shul. When he finished building the Rabbi Freiman with the council head and his entourage at 770 in shul, we said we hoped he would be the one to help us build a larger shul one day when the present one would become too small for all the people who would daven there.” The beginning wasn’t easy. They didn’t always get a minyan. “One time, when we wanted to begin davening Shacharis on Shabbos, we were only nine men. We waited a long time no tenth showed up. Finally, one of the men offered to go and get a friend of his who wasn’t religious. The two of them came back and completed the minyan. The friend had been asleep Rabbi Freiman visiting a Chabad preschool but he agreed to come for the minyan and to stay until the end of the davening even though he refused The city council head and his wife to daven. “As I always do, before the Torah recently visited our 770. As soon as they reading I reviewed a sicha of the Rebbe. This caught his interest. A walked in, she was very moved, week later he came to a shiur and especially after she heard my over time he became more involved with mitzvos. He brought a friend explanations about the k’dusha and the with him and that friend brought a friend and we soon had five guys significance of the place. “I am so who were post-army who began keeping mitzvos and became happy that my husband and I have a regulars at the Chabad house. I spent a lot of time with them over share in this,” she exclaimed. the course of many Shabbos meals, , shiurim, personal helped them to do t’shuva. traveled in India he rented a room conversations and this is what “At a later point, that first ‘link in near the local Chabad house. One the chain’ told me that when he day, the shluchim came and asked

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 709 25 709:Beis Moshiach 23/08/2009 11:02 PM Page 26

Freiman asked me, ‘Eli, we want a If a report like this was filed outside of permanent structure in Zichron Israel, against the building of a Jewish Yaakov.’ We struck an agreement and said that with Hashem’s help, shul, we would call it anti-Semitism, we would dedicate a building. “Today, baruch Hashem, we are but here in Israel, here in Zichron dedicating this shul. From the start it was clear that the new neighborhood Yaakov, you say there is no need for a needed a shul. The contractor Oded said to me, ‘Eli, I request, if shul? How could a new neighborhood possible, it should be a Chabad with 770 families not need a shul? house.’ I agreed and I want to tell you that it wasn’t easy. Even here, in the State of Israel, sixty years after it him to complete the minyan and he the shul to be a replica of 770 and was founded, it is sometimes refused in such a way that they the contractor was enthusiastic difficult to build a shul. There were wouldn’t dare ask him again. Yet about the idea. They easily got the opponents within the council but we now, when he was woken from his approval of the council. The head of strongly believed that we must make sleep to complete the minyan in the council, Mr. Eliyahu Abutbul, is a shul in the new neighborhood and Zichron Yaakov, he agreed, and this a personal friend of R’ Freiman and bring Torah here. Baruch Hashem, is what set him on the path to a supporter of his work. we were successful. I must say, and religious observance.” I say this sorrowfully, it’s really a Problems with a minyan are a WHAT WENT ON happy day today, but it is also a day thing of the past. The shul in their BEHIND THE SCENES that we need to make an accounting. yard served the community for five “I will tell you something that the When R’ Freiman says about the years running, during which their residents of Zichron Yaakov don’t building that it was built not by his attendance increased dramatically. know yet. A month and a half ago I efforts or talents but as a gift from There were Shabbasos when it was was visited by the state comptroller. Above, he means it. He doesn’t so crowded that they had to stand He filed a report against me, the recall any particular difficulties. But outdoors. council head, for agreeing to having we listened to a speech given by Eli “One day we found out that the a shul built. The report will be Abutbul at the Chanukas HaBayis contractor who had built our house publicized in two months. He said and discovered that it wasn’t all and was close to us was building a another shul in Zichron Yaakov smooth sailing: large neighborhood called Chalomot wasn’t necessary and there was no “I must thank the Creator of the Zichron. The law is that a contractor need for a Chabad house in world for enabling me to be the who gets such a large project has to Chalomot. public representative who helped build public buildings too. I decided “I argued, “How could dedicate this Chabad house in to build a replica of 770 in this something like this take place in the Zichron Yaakov.” Abutbul began his neighborhood.” State of Israel? If a report like this speech to enthusiastic applause. He didn’t need to convince the was filed outside of Israel, against “Four years ago, R’ Freiman, contractor about the importance of the building of a Jewish shul, we Oded and I were at a meeting in Tel the project or about the crowded would call it anti-Semitism, but here conditions at their current shul. He Aviv in the course of which R’ was happy to oblige R’ Freiman and he said he would build a shul and The shul building is constructed in the the Chabad house would do as they pleased with it. city but in appearance it loudly cries “The new neighborhood is populated by irreligious people, out that it’s not from here. Now, with its some of them even anti-religious,” he said, “and the only ones who can unusual placement which is different run a shul in a place like this is than the other buildings, it’s as though Chabad.” R’ Freiman told him he wanted it proclaims, ‘I landed from heaven.’

26 8 Elul 5769 BEIS MOSHIACH 709:Beis Moshiach 23/08/2009 11:02 PM Page 27

in Israel, here in Zichron Yaakov, you say there is no need for a shul? How could a new neighborhood with 770 families not need a shul?’ He had no answer. “I figured, the report doesn’t matter; what it says doesn’t matter; it doesn’t matter what they will say, the main thing is: a shul was needed here and we are rejoicing at the founding of this shul, rejoicing with the simchas ha’Torah. I want to thank R’ Freiman whom I met several years ago. I think that this is one of the most important developments, that such a dear man as this along with his righteous wife Rabbanit Ruti, live here in Zichron Rabbi Freiman with the houses of the moshava in the background Yaakov.” It seems that the ones who They finally walked into 770 and he alerted the comptroller to come were the residents of the neighborhood said to his children, ‘This is 770, the who were afraid to have a shul. “I understand them,” said R’ Rebbe’s shul. There is the Rebbe’s bima Freiman. “They were afraid that their neighborhood would become and the Rebbe’s chair.’ Suddenly, his religious but by the time they three year old shouted, ‘Where is the became alarmed it was too late already because the building had all Rebbe? I want to see the Rebbe!’ He the permits and construction had begun.” burst into tears. R’ Freiman was preoccupied with making sure the building would look took measurements and sketches. lenient and put the aron in a corner exactly like 770-Beis Moshiach. “From the moment we got the but when I checked with Chabad “I would nudge my nephew, plans from R’ Havlin, things moved rabbanim, I found out that the Alter Mendel Eisenbach, who learned in forward but we still continued doing Rebbe was particular that the aron 770, to check out different details research and checking every detail, be built in the east. for us so that the building would be however minor. We tried to buy the When I learned that, I had no an exact copy, from the wrought bricks and other articles that were choice but to call a meeting of all iron to the fine engravings.” imported, so that it would be as involved parties, contractors and Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Havlin of precise a copy as possible and just architects, and to discuss the Yerushalayim, who built a model of like the original.” problem with them. I asked them to 770 in Ramat Shlomo, was a big turn the building so that it would be help to R’ Freiman. The architects A GEULA LESSON different than all the other buildings Yakunt and Gorelick made the in the neighborhood.” Another hurdle stood in their replica in Kfar Chabad and they R’ Freiman didn’t realize how way, a hurdle from which R’ traveled to New York and took much opposition he would have to Freiman learns a Geula message: hundreds of pictures so they would face. “When we examined the plans, I know just how to copy it. “They all opposed me, from the noticed that the rows of buildings in The blueprint of 770 in Australia, simplest laborer to the head architect the new neighborhood faced west so which was built by Rabbi Yosef who told me that he quit. When I that the shul and the aron could not Yitzchok Gutnick, was made by a told him that I couldn’t build a shul face east, towards Yerushalayim. At company that went to New York and if it wasn’t made according to first I thought that we could be

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 709 27 709:Beis Moshiach 23/08/2009 11:02 PM Page 28

walked into 770 and he said to his children, ‘This is 770, the Rebbe’s shul. There is the Rebbe’s bima and the Rebbe’s chair.’ Suddenly, his three year old shouted, ‘Where is the Rebbe? I want to see the Rebbe!’ He burst into tears. All who were present in 770 late that night were moved. My friend told me that at that moment he thought to himself: It was worth coming just for this. My son’s cry expressed our cry, our desire to see our king once again. “On one of the last Shabbasos before we moved to our new shul building, I was reminded of this story, as every Shabbos of the past year my wife would walk over there with the children to see the progress made on our new Chabad house. On The Chanukas HaBayis for the new building the final Shabbos, as they came halachic parameters, he said, ‘And I close to 770, my wife announced can’t build a building in such a poor that the building was ‘mamash architectural way.’ I stood firm and ready.’ When my three year old in the end, they came around and Chezky heard this, he ran inside the the plans were changed. building and began looking and “The Geula lesson that I learned looking until my wife went inside from this was based on an injunction too. When he saw her, he asked in of the Rebbe. He said that a shliach surprise, ‘How could the building be who goes to a city quickly becomes ready but the Rebbe isn’t here?’ an integral part of that city. He knows the people, he learns the “In the Zohar it says that the third language and gets involved in the life Beis HaMikdash will descend from Residents of Zichron Yaakov heaven “built and perfected,” and there, but he must always remember celebrating at the Chanukas HaBayis and remind himself not to get drawn the Rebbe says we will only need to finish the construction so that we in too much to the atmosphere of WHERE IS THE REBBE? the place and change his language too will have a share in building it. R’ Freiman speaks excitedly and appearance. Like ambassadors, We feel similarly about everything about emuna, Yerushalayim and who live in foreign countries and connected with the 770 in Zichron Geula: though they fit in well with the Yaakov, that the Rebbe sent us a gift, “A good friend told me about an locals, they always remain as a building made in the likeness of experience he had with his family. representatives of their country of 770. He flew to the Rebbe with his wife M origin. “There is a mekurav who recently and children. They landed late at “The shul building is constructed went to 770. Afterwards, I night and they arrived at 770 close I in the city but in appearance it understood what a trip to the Rebbe to midnight. As they approached can accomplish. Once, when I W loudly cries out that it’s not from a 770 his excitement grew and images explained to him about the here. Now, with its unusual T of all the hours he had spent, placement which is different than the atmosphere and the giluyim and the crowded with his friends in 770 – feelings from back when, he said, ‘I U other buildings, it’s as though it p t’fillos, farbrengens and seeing the proclaims, ‘I landed from heaven.’ was a part of that, I was in 770. I m Rebbe - came to mind. As people’s eyes are upon it, they are know what you’re talking about.’ M “His enthusiasm was contagious looking towards Yerushalayim and “When I farbreng with a and this included his three year old b the place of the Mikdash.” mekuravim every Shabbos and tell son he was holding. They finally yo

28 8 Elul 5769 BEIS MOSHIACH 709:Beis Moshiach 23/08/2009 11:02 PM Page 29

them about the giluyim that we were 770 BELONGS TO ALL of the davening and thanked me for privileged to experience, I can point The Chanukas HaBayis took the amazing experience. When I and say, ‘Here is where the Rebbe place a week before the Yomim asked him what was so special, he stood,’ ‘here is where the Rebbe Nora’im last year. The number of said it was the first time in his life spoke,’ ‘here is where the Rebbe people who attended shul on Rosh that he had entered a shul.” passed by.’ It’s completely different HaShana and Yom Kippur was so Even those who had been afraid than just telling about it. large that the shluchim were taken quickly realized that Chabad doesn’t “The son of one of the by surprise. come to impose itself on anyone and mekuravim, went home with his “During the t’fillos of Yom everything is done for their sake. mother, and said, ‘Ima, I want to go Kippur there were so many people “At the blowing of the shofar on home.’ When she asked him what he that many had to be outside. Among Motzaei Yom Kippur, there were meant and said, ‘You are home those who came we also saw some hundreds of people. When the now,’ he said he meant 770. He who were opposed to the building davening was over we sang absorbed what the adults were and had filed the official complaint niggunim and danced and rejoiced. talking about, that 770 is the real with the comptroller. One of these Sukkos and the hakafos were extra home.” people came over to me at the end special because of the many participants.” Yeshiva Gedola Lubavitch 5308 Palisade Ave, West New York, NJ 07093 Tel: (718) 801-1996 *Fax: (718) 756-2751 *E-mail: [email protected] hjh tsubbu nurbu urchbu nkl vnahj kguko ugs kguko vnahj nkl urchbu nurbu tsubbu hjh

REGISTRATION FOR THE UPCOMMING YEAR - 5770 For Shiur Aleph, Shiur Bais and Shiur Gimel - "Zal" We are accepting students who are eager to learn For Registration, please contact the mashgiach of the Yeshivoh, Rabbi M.M. Barok at (718) 801-1995

Make a “Mivtzah Kashrus” in your own computer! Introducing JNET-The world wide web without the world wide worryTM While The Internet can be a helpful tool for business, education Most important, you can now get the JNET Advantage for only a and personal use it can also be a potentially dangerous one. bit more than non-filtered on line providers. That's why J Net was created. If you're ready for the world wide web without the world wide Using exclusive multi-tiered intelligent filtration, the J Net portal is worry, you're ready for JNet. probably the most effective consumer resource for eliminating DIAL UP DSL Unlimited Access 24 Tech Support material not conducive to our needs. 4 Profiles per Account Web Mail More than virtually foolproof, J .NET is also easy - both to install Call us toll free at 1-866-866-JNET (5638) and use. Plus its available in both dialup and high speed DSL and (mention code “770” for special ANASH Rate) backed by highly trained customer service experts that will solve your problems fast.

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 709 29 709:Beis Moshiach 23/08/2009 11:02 PM Page 30

shleimus ha’aretz EXPELLED 3 TIMES

By Sholom Ber Crombie

everything in order to bodily stop the R’ Meir Goldmintz and his family joined handing over of our settlements to hundreds of others putting their lives on our enemies, up to the bitter end. Goldmintz went to Gush Katif the line defying Israel’s suicidal expulsion the night the Gush was closed together with his wife and their two policy in Gush Katif. After weeks of small children. The tent they were given in the canvas community that resistance in Kfar Darom they were was erected in Kfar Darom became their home for the five weeks until forcibly removed. Their next stop was the the expulsion. During those weeks, yishuv Yad Yair, but they were expelled he continued to teach in yeshivas Shalom Banayich in Yerushalayim. from there too. Now they are being driven Every Sunday he would travel to Yerushalayim while his wife and out from a third location, yishuv Chorsha. children remained “at home” in Kfar Darom. On Wednesday he would * Goldmintz wrote a book in which he return to be with his family in Gush Katif. Each time, he had to come up describes the experiences of the illegal with a complicated way of re- residents of Gush Katif four years ago. entering the sealed Gush. He was not alone. Dozens of other men, who brought their families to live in R’ Meir Goldmintz went with his underground bestseller with the help Gush Katif, did the same thing. family to Kfar Darom in Gush Katif of the Gush Katif Museum and Until the actual expulsion, Kfar in an effort to prevent the expulsion. private sales. Darom had 150 of these illegal They stayed there for five difficult Goldmintz hopes the message of families living in tents that were set weeks, with mesirus nefesh, but the book will get through to as many up on the edge of the settlement. failed to save the settlement. Since people as possible and foster an What happened to those then, he has been expelled from Yad understanding of the heavy price we families? Yair in Binyamin and now his new are paying for destroying our We all have that era engraved in hometown, yishuv Chorsha, is on settlements. our hearts as one of mesirus nefesh, the chopping block. The book is one of numerous of courage and spiritual strength The repeated expulsions have not publications since the expulsion that uplifted all who were there for a defeated his spirit. He devotes his from Gush Katif to document the long time to come. It was an energy to explaining why Jews crime of expulsion. The goal of these incredible time in which the focus in should not be uprooted. His book, books is not only documentation but life for whoever was there was belief Sippuro shel SHeVaCH [story of a to underscore the toll of the in Hashem’s kindness, belief in Shoheh Bilti Chuki – illegal resident] destruction. The books tell the miracles, and bitachon in Hashem. describes the final days in Gush stories of “shevachim,” (an People sacrificed everything for their Katif and tells the stories of abbreviation in Hebrew for those bitachon and emuna in Hashem and hundreds of families who arrived to stay illegally) who went to Gush we take this period of time with us join the residents of Gush Katif for Katif after it was closed to Jews and everywhere we go in life. their last stand. Although no only official residents were allowed For those five weeks, we lived distributor was willing to sell the to enter. He tells of the tremendous there in tents on the beach and used book, it is turning into an courage of those who sacrificed grocery store boxes as mats for the

30 8 Elul 5769 BEIS MOSHIACH 709:Beis Moshiach 23/08/2009 11:02 PM Page 31

floor. There was a communal would be able to rejoin my family. indescribable glory and strength. In kitchen and the bathrooms and Each time I traveled back to the Kfar Darom you could feel the showers were also shared. When Gush, it was an adventure. That power of emuna, the hope, the you’re talking about a family with night, when I returned to Kfar bitachon. Aside from that, the very little children living in the heat on Darom, I noticed a large crowd fact that such a large crowd had the beach, this was no simple matter. around a Lubavitch vehicle and a gathered for this holy purpose It was far from easy, but it was all printing press. I asked what was worth it to be part of the protest going on and was told that they were against Jews uprooting Jews. printing the Tanya. Kfar Darom was packed with “I joined the group and yeshiva bachurim. Two yeshivos, afterwards participated in the shiur yeshivas Alon Moreh and Beis El, to learn the newly printed Tanya. I simply relocated their staff and remember that this gave a lot of student body to Kfar Darom. strength to the people there. We Estimates are that there were about considered it a very important 3000 yeshiva bachurim there and the activity and till today, I keep a copy entire yishuv was full of Torah. Until of the Tanya that was printed in Kfar the actual day we were expelled, Darom and I take it with me learning did not stop in the beis everywhere. midrash. With the building full “I grew up in a Litvishe milieu beyond capacity, the entire yishuv and until Gush Katif days, I had no turned into one big beis midrash. connection with Lubavitchers, but There were bachurim sitting and now I have come close to Chassidus learning everywhere you looked. and every time I go into the Many also used the time to study Reserves, I put t’fillin on with the Chassidus and learned from the soldiers.” Lubavitchers to do mivtza t’fillin with the numerous soldiers who THE EXPULSION were there. The atmosphere was “The days leading up to the fantastic and everybody was devoted expulsion are ones we all to dedicating their time to Torah remember as study, mitzvos and good deeds, for days of the sake of heaven. Do you remember what the Lubavitchers did during the final days of Gush Katif? “Of course. We saw them putting on t’fillin with the soldiers and we followed their example to do the same. Many food packages were sent by Chabad Chassidim for the shevachim. The families who came to live in Kfar Darom were without kitchens and we all had to rely on the generosity of others for our meals. “I remember the printing of the Tanya in Kfar Darom. It was one of the evenings when I returned from Yerushalayim. The trip to Kfar Darom always entailed unpleasant hours crossing army blockades in the trunk of a car. Every Sunday, when I left Gush Katif, I didn’t know whether I

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 709 31 709:Beis Moshiach 23/08/2009 11:02 PM Page 32

me that I could not fight and could On the morning of the expulsion, after definitely not allow myself to be Shacharis, we locked ourselves into the brutally dragged. When they broke into the gym and began dragging gym and watched from the windows as out families with women and children, I told the officer that I Kfar Darom began to fill up with would forgo being dragged but I just wanted to say a few words to the thousands of soldiers... The feeling was soldiers before I left the building. “He left me for last, together one of helplessness, a plummeting of all with my children, along with dozens the courageous feelings we had had of soldiers who were responsible for expelling Jews from the gym, and he until that moment. let me address them. I told them that throughout the generations Jews created an amazing atmosphere. their daily routine until the end. were expelled from their land, “I especially remember the “The shevachim families whether in earlier exiles, the Shabbasos. All the families were in dispersed in the yishuv’s public Inquisition, and the Holocaust. Then tents, eating the Shabbos meals. buildings. My family and I stayed in I said, ‘How will you look into the From every side you could hear the the building that housed the play eyes of your children when you tell Shabbos z’miros and the divrei facilities. On the morning of the them that you had a part in the To r a h . expulsion, after Shacharis, we locked expulsion of Jews from their land, “We had the third Shabbos meal ourselves into the gym and watched when you acted like the men who together, all the shevachim families. from the windows as Kfar Darom chased Jews out of Europe and On Friday all the women would began to fill up with thousands of Spain? How will you be able to look prepare the Shabbos meals in the soldiers. According to military at our holy ancestors, Avrohom, central kitchen where there was a reports, 25,000 soldiers came to Yitzchok, and Yaakov? We, the big counter. Each one would place Kfar Darom, all dressed in black. expelled families, will be uprooted the things she bought on it for The feeling was one of helplessness, from here and dragged with terrible everyone to use. Each woman shared a plummeting of all the courageous suffering and humiliation, but we with the others those things they feelings we had had until that will start our lives anew and rise up were lacking. In general, we saw moment. from the destruction. The ones who tremendous Ahavas Yisroel and I would like to point out here will suffer the most will be you, demonstrations of great refinement that we saw how every soldier those who are doing the expelling. that we don’t see elsewhere. present, even if he rationalized that The terrible sights of Jews being “As far as tznius and privacy, the he only stood there and didn’t expel dragged from their land will follow shevachim did their utmost and this anyone, contributed to the expulsion. you throughout your lives. Your made a tremendous kiddush The fact that the people of Kfar souls will pursue you and cry out Hashem. Kfar Darom was a Torah Darom did not go out to fight was from inside: why did you uproot center and all over, people were because of the feeling of despair that Jews from their land? You have a discussing halachic sugiyos. I we felt when we saw the enormous final opportunity to save your lives. remember the evenings, when numbers arrayed against us, the Refuse your orders and save your sometimes, while waiting on line for mass of soldiers who filled the souls.’ a shower, a Torah discussion would yishuv with black. Every soldier who “Then I said to my daughter, develop.” was there, even if all he did was who was crying on my lap, ‘You are How did the expulsion of stand there and cry, contributed to still young and don’t understand shevachim families in Kfar Darom the expulsion. His presence led to what is going on, but one day you happen? the fall of Kfar Darom; it makes no will ask us – Abba, Ima, what did “In Kfar Darom, not a single difference if his job was as a medic you do when they uprooted your family packed its bags. It was a way or a chaplain who came ‘only’ to brothers? We are here now so that of demonstrating our bitachon in take down mezuzos. we can look into your eyes and have Hashem, in the miracle we hoped “I had injured my leg a short an answer. So we can say, ‘our would happen any minute, and also while before and had a fracture that hands did not spill this blood.’ So a tactical move. All families observed hadn’t healed yet. The doctor told we can say, ‘it wasn’t easy my

32 8 Elul 5769 BEIS MOSHIACH 709:Beis Moshiach 23/08/2009 11:02 PM Page 33

daughter, it demanded tremendous mesirus nefesh, but we did it so that we would have an answer to your question.’ “Then I took out a small pair of scissors and I tore kria with Hashem’s name, as all the soldiers lowered their gaze and some of them quietly answered ‘amen.’ As I left, the officer asked me whether I had anything I wanted to take with me. I told him that when Eretz Yisroel is destroyed, my personal belongings didn’t matter.”

THE EXPULSION CONTINUES Yad Yair after the army destroyed it Since then, you have gone through another expulsion at the contrary to the decision of the court, person who sees his money being Yad Yair outpost. who issued a stay injunction against taken away and keeps quiet.’ The “Yes. Last year, 18 Nissan, I was the destruction.” thief had to be aware that the owner once again uprooted from my home. What importance does it have of the home might kill him. The outpost was founded 18 years from a security standpoint? “With the expulsion from Gush ago, after the murder of Dolav Yair “Most of the commanders of Katif people cried out and we Mendelsohn. The residents asked units in the area understood the managed to create a situation in Yitzchok Shamir, then the prime importance of the place and the which the nation cried together with minister, to start a permanent need to defend it. They sent regular the expelled, but there wasn’t a real settlement there in reaction to the scouting units and even held battle. According to the principle killing, but all that was established exercises there. which states that a person doesn’t there was a military base and a “The area is three and a half keep quiet if his belongings are memorial to Yair. kilometers from Dolav and about taken away, the message that we “Five years ago, PM Sharon 100 meters away from houses in conveyed was that if they take our decided to uproot the base and move Ramala. home we don’t fight back, which it elsewhere. All that remained was “At first, the location of the makes it seem we agree with them the memorial, which was constantly outpost led the occupation authority and don’t think this is our home and vandalized by Arabs and Leftist to claim it was in Area A. After we our possession. Jews. One day they went up there pointed out to them that if they are “The elections that took place and burned the site and hung PLO right, they had no right to mix in half a year later showed that we flags there. with whatever was going on there, failed, since the party that expelled “Following this, and after the and they should let us deal with the us rose to power. We are the guilty land had been legally bought, my Palestinian Authority, they admitted ones for not fighting to save our wife and I decided to have our home that the ‘border’ passes 17 meters homes, We conveyed this message to there in order to protect this from the edge of Yad Yair.” the nation that these are not our strategic position. We built a house Now you are facing a third homes and therefore, we weren’t and some yeshiva bachurim from expulsion from Chorsha, where going to fight for it. We lost the Nachliel lived there with us. The you live now. What is your message tremendous identification people had place was maintained with the to the nation witnessing these with us earlier, when the nation was approval of the security forces, who expulsions? with us and opposed the expulsion. held military exercises there. But “The Gemara says that when a “By politically embracing the there were people who didn’t thief secretly enters your home, forces for expulsion, we said that approve and five months after we there is no culpability if he is killed. those expelling us were right. We arrived, the army came and This is because he entered secretly need to correct this in the next destroyed our home. This was and he must know that ‘there is no battle.”

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 709 33 709:Beis Moshiach 23/08/2009 11:02 PM Page 34

15 Elul

At the farbrengen on Shabbos, Parshas Chayei Sarah 5745/1985, the Rebbe discussed this kuntres and said that the Rebbe Rashab spoke WHO CAN BE A with “great prophecy about our days.” Today, more than ever, we can understand how important it is for the T’mimim, “the soldiers of the house of Dovid,” to take part in the SOLDIER OF war which has been waged in recent years against those who “revile Your anointed one.” Actually, the job of the T’mimim as “soldiers of the house of Dovid” THE HOUSE OF pertains to every Chabad Chassid, for “Chabad” is an acronym for ^^ “Chayolei Beis Dovid.” Not ^^ everybody is accepted into the army. At the draft office they check out the DOVID candidates and reject some of them. The same is true for Moshiach’s army, the “soldiers of the house of By Rabbi Yisroel Halperin Dovid.” Shliach and Rav kehillas Chabad in Hertzliya The Rebbe Rashab, in that ^ kuntres, sets out the main clauses which every soldier must carry out One whose views are shaped only by the and without which he is dismissed. The main one, and the most famous, reality he perceives cannot be a ‘soldier is “whoever goes out to the wars of the house of Dovid gives a divorce of the house of Dovid’ who brings the to his wife,” i.e. he is divorced from revelation of G-dliness to the world. * the matters of this world. There is another point the Rebbe Presented for 15 Elul, 112 years since Rashab makes, which is even more significant nowadays, and that is the founding of yeshivas Tomchei “those who accept the premises that the world operates with.” Someone T’mimim. like this is assigned the lowest profile and can be immediately rejected by It has been 112 years since the was, and still is, the source for the the army. Rebbe Rashab founded yeshivas heroism that these “soldiers of the What does it mean to accept the Tomchei T’mimim in the town of house of Dovid” displayed premises that the world operates Lubavitch. This yeshiva, from the throughout the years, up until our with? He’s a Chassid in every way moment it was founded, was a generation, the generation of Geula. but he has one problem. His views factory that produced thousands of The Rebbe Rashab’s first public are shaped by the reality he sees in “soldiers of the house of Dovid,” reference to the mission of its the world. What he observes, he who would fight on two fronts in the students was in 5661/1900. In a believes; what his physical eyes see is decades to come. The two fronts are special kuntres he clarified the main correct and true to him. But when [atheism, i.e.,] “that Your enemies task of the talmidim as being there’s a sicha of the Rebbe that have reviled, Hashem” and “soldiers of the house of Dovid,” to doesn’t comport well with what his [orthodox opposition to Moshiach, fight those who revile Hashem and physical eyes see…everything i.e.,] “they have reviled the footsteps then those who revile His anointed changes. of Your anointed one.” The yeshiva one. ***

34 8 Elul 5769 BEIS MOSHIACH 709:Beis Moshiach 23/08/2009 11:02 PM Page 35

Over thirty years ago, I was a We cannot accept the premises of young man with a lot of questions, the world. They have nothing to sell lots of expectations, and very us. Our views must be shaped curious. That’s how I arrived at exclusively by what the Torah tells yeshivas Tomchei T’mimim. I went us, only by what it says in the sichos. there after reading letters of the When we have utter bittul to the Rebbe that I found fascinating. The Rebbe, it’s all simple. first place I went to was the library, What does the Rebbe actually so I could find more interesting say? In the sicha of Shabbos Parshas proofs to G-d’s existence. Mishpatim 5752, the Rebbe explains I looked and looked and didn’t that the word “miyad,” the word the find any. Other bachurim referred Rebbe uses as the speedometer for me to the mashgiach. I went over to the coming of Moshiach, is an him and said that to the best of my acronym for the generations that knowledge, Chabad – chochma, hasten Moshiach’s coming: Moshe, bina, daas – is an intellectual Yisroel (Baal Shem Tov), and Dovid. analytical system which proves there More particularly, the Rebbe is a G-d and that the Torah, which says, it refers to three generations includes the Oral Torah, is true. I that pertain to the Rebbe Rayatz and asked him to explain the proofs to works backwards: Moshiach (whose me so I could present them to my name is Menachem), Yosef friends and bring them to Tomchei Yitzchok, and Dov Ber. These are from the world (olam from the root T’mimim too. the three final leaders of Chabad, the he’elem, concealment) where G- He gave me a mischievous look seventh, the sixth, and the fifth, for dliness is concealed, cannot be a and said, “We don’t have proofs for who is Moshiach whose name is “soldier of the house of Dovid” who G-d’s existence, nor do we have Menachem who comes after the brings the revelation of G-dliness to proofs that the Torah is true. If you Rebbe Rayatz? Obviously, the Rebbe the world. want a proof for something, in is referring to himself. And this was If he accepts the premises of the Chassidus there are lots of proofs written, and he edited it, so that it world, he has an additional problem that the world does, in fact, exist.” would be publicized to the world! in that he cools off any feeling of I didn’t get it. I had come from It’s interesting that in speaking warmth to k’dusha. This is a serious where I had come from to Tomchei about the coming of Moshiach problem since that is what Amalek, T’mimim, had accepted so many “miyad,” the Rebbe connects it with the one who “cooled you off on the things upon myself, and all so that, the previous Rebbeim. For the truth road,” is about. Amalek is also in the end, they would prove to me is, the Rebbe Rashab set things in numerically equivalent to the that I exist? I’ve known that since I motion by founding the yeshiva Hebrew word for doubt, because was born! whose students were and are when you are cooled off, you are The mashgiach understood my Moshiach’s army. skeptical. At first Amalek says you confusion and explained, “Start to This is just one example out of should say Yechi but in a cultured learn Chassidus and little by little many. It’s all in writing. The manner, quietly, and in the end he you will understand that the fact that problem is with us, in our belief. says it’s wrong to say it. G-d exists is a certainty, while the What must we believe? The Rebbe fact of your existence is not at all sure.” The mashgiach understood my That’s an example of a soldier who doesn’t accept the premises the confusion and explained, “Start to world operates with. It’s not what he sees that establishes, for him, what learn Chassidus and little by little you true reality is. It’s only that which it says in the Torah, in the sichos and will understand that the fact that G-d , that is the only truth! Someone who accepts the exists is a certainty, while the fact of world’s premises, who accepts ideas your existence is not at all sure.”

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 709 35 709:Beis Moshiach 23/08/2009 11:02 PM Page 36

fact, but it’s not because the Geula The job of the T’mimim as “soldiers of hasn’t come but only because we still the house of Dovid” pertains to every haven’t opened our eyes. The question is who believes with Chabad Chassid, for “Chabad” is an complete faith in the coming of Moshiach; who believes in the acronym for “Chayolei Beis Dovid.” Creator of the world, in His Torah, in tzaddikim, and most importantly spells it out for us in the sichos of reality, that we are sitting together – who does not accept the premises 5752. In Parshas VaYeitzei the with Hashem at the set table at the of the world and shapes his views Rebbe tells us that everything is wedding feast, at the feast of the exclusively through the Rebbe’s already here in the physical world. Leviasan. There in a footnote the sichos. Moshiach is already here! In Parshas Rebbe writes that not only has the Only one who disconnects from Toldos, the Rebbe explains that we avoda needed to facilitate the the foolishness of the world and already have the beginning of the revelation been completed but we starts building his ethical code not revelation of his existence and his already have the revelation in an according to the premises of the activities. actual and revealed way! world but according to the Rebbe’s In Parshas VaYishlach the Rebbe We just need to open our eyes! sichos, will be included in says explicitly: in our days we need Moshiach is already here! That we Moshiach’s special unit of Chayolei to merely open our eyes and see the are still in galus is a painful, bitter Beis Dovid. www.MoshiachForKids.com Check it out!! Educational and Fun!! LIVE SHIURIM 0NLINE cwwv Anywhere, Anytime ! CHITAS j,ww, INYONEI GEULA unahj dtukv gbhbh & MOSHIACH rncwwo RAMBAM ckeuyh ahgurho SHIURIM IN LIKUTEI eusa ahju, SICHOS KODESH

WWW.770LIVE.COM ugs kguko vnahj nkl urcbu nurbu tsubhbu hjh

36 8 Elul 5769 BEIS MOSHIACH 709:Beis Moshiach 23/08/2009 11:02 PM Page 37

story

world of Chabad chassidus and the greatness of the Rebbe. Slowly but surely, we found ourselves drawn to Chabad. WEATHER OR “Just before the auspicious day of Yud Shvat, we participated along with hundreds of chassidim throughout Paris in a raffle for an airline ticket to Beis Chayeinu. NOT, WE ARE Imagine our surprise when it turned out that my wife had won. Despite the fact that we didn’t yet understand the full meaning of ‘Rebbe’ and the importance of GOING TO traveling to 770, we were still very excited about this great privilege, and we decided that if my wife was already going, the whole family should join her. That same day, we THE REBBE went to the travel agent and bought tickets for my wife, myself, my son Meir, my brother-in-law and his son, By Nosson Avrohom and my brother and his wife. The Translated by Michoel Leib Dobry flight was scheduled for midweek. Excitement was building and we all waited with much impatience. There’s no one in the old shul in here the first of these stories, which “Then, as we completed our pre- Yerushalayim’s took place over thirty years ago, flight preparations, I heard a news neighborhood who doesn’t know when he was in the early stages of c item on the radio that put a damper Rabbi Chai Samja, a learned chassid his journey along the path of on all the excitement. The French and a patient and pleasant chassidus. Rabbi Samja says that it correspondent in New York reported conversationalist with a hearty smile was this episode that put his that the city was enduring record on his lips and a radiant and transformation to a Chabad chassid freezing temperatures. ‘What do I enlightening appearance. After many into high gear. He was privileged to need this for?’ I wondered, and I years living in his native France, be the second Lubavitcher in shared my sentiments with my wife. where he had been brought to Sarcelles, where today there is a I told her that at best, we could wrap Chabad chassidus by his brother-in- dynamic Chabad community and a ourselves in winter coats and other law, Rabbi Meir [later it’s Yosef] particularly active and lively Chabad layers of clothing, but we wouldn’t Sitbon, of blessed memory, he House. be able to enjoy our stay in New decided to fulfill his dream and “This story occurred more than York. At worst, we could get really move to Yerushalayim. During those thirty years ago. We were living at sick – so what’s the point in making days, he invested much of his time the time in the Paris suburb of the trip? translating texts on Judaism and Sarcelles. Like many French Jews, “When my brother-in-law, Rabbi chassidic philosophy from Hebrew we steadfastly maintained our Jewish Sitbon, heard that I was considering into English, with a sizable amount identity. While we did not belong to a cancellation of the trip, he was of this time set aside for the any chassidic or ultra-Orthodox beside himself. He tried to convince ambitious project of translating the faction, nevertheless, we tried to me in every way he could, describing entire Mishnayos. observe the traditions of our the experience that I would have in When we met with him last week forefathers to the best of our ability. ‘Beis Chayeinu’ with the Rebbe in in Yerushalayim, he revealed a whole The ancient faith instilled within us most colorful terms. I simply didn’t series of amazing instances of Divine burned within our very essence. It understand what he wanted from Providence that he was privileged to was my brother-in-law, Rabbi me, as I was just taking my first experience from the Rebbe, Melech Yosef[before it was Meir] Sitbon, steps into the world of chassidus. HaMoshiach. We chose to bring who exposed me to the magical

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 709 37 709:Beis Moshiach 23/08/2009 11:02 PM Page 38

everything possible to meet with him The Gentile’s reply stunned me, and and take suggestions for treating when I heard it, I thought that I must their son’s condition. Yet, to their great regret, all of them said that the be dreaming. ‘Look,’ he said to me, ‘if situation was quite complicated, and the chances were very high that the you’re going to New York, and you find boy would never recover from the serious injury he had sustained. The yourself in Brooklyn, there’s an parents still refused to give up, and one day they traveled with him to outstanding and righteous Jewish New York to meet with a prominent leader there called the Lubavitcher doctor in Manhattan. “Some young Jewish men met Rebbe. I suggest that you go to visit him the father in the street, heard his story of personal agony, and brought – you won’t be disappointed!’ him to the Rebbe,” the Gentile meteorologist continued. He didn’t Still, he didn’t let up for a moment, and you find yourself in Brooklyn, know exactly what advice the Rebbe adamantly saying that I have nothing there’s an outstanding and righteous gave to the parents, but what he did to worry about from traveling to the Jewish leader there called the know was that a few days later, the Rebbe. Lubavitcher Rebbe. I suggest that boy’s medical problem miraculously “I returned from Maariv on you go to visit him – you won’t be disappeared as if he had never been Monday, and I decided that in disappointed!’ injured at all. He then told me again concession to the stubborn pleas of “For the next several minutes, I and again, ‘I saw the boy before he my brother-in-law, I would call the thought that I was hallucinating. met the Rebbe and afterwards, and I international meteorological service How did this Gentile know about suggest that if you’re traveling to in order to determine what the the Rebbe? After confirming that he New York, don’t waste the extended weather forecast would be is actually not a Jew, I asked him opportunity to meet with the in New York. I had firmly made up this very question. ‘Among my Lubavitcher Rebbe.’ my mind that if the record freezing distant relatives, there is a Jewish “I thanked him for his help and temperatures would continue, I couple,’ he told me with surprising hung up the phone but remained would stay home. The person who candor. ‘One fine day, they went out glued to the spot. For quite a while, answered the phone regretted to on a pleasure trip with their son on I was bewildered by what had just inform me that the offices were the prestigious Parisian street, the happened and I still get closed, but he was polite enough to Champs Elysees, when suddenly a overwhelmed when I think about it. inquire if he could be of any help. I ball came hurtling by and struck the I was sure that the Rebbe was thanked him for his courtesy, and I boy in the head. He fell to the essentially sending me a strong hint asked him how cold it would be in ground, blood streaming from the that he wants me to come to him. New York during the coming days. wound. He was quickly transported “When I got over my initial “He checked and told me that to the hospital, where the doctors shock, I called my brother-in-law, indeed it was very cold there, and tried to stabilize his condition. After Rabbi Sitbon, and told him, ‘Listen, then he asked me what I was looking a lengthy series of operations and it’s very hot now in New York, even for in New York at this time of year. treatments, they regretfully informed hotter than the peak of summer.’ He He spoke with a French accent, and the worried parents that the situation didn’t understand what I was getting I reasoned that this Gentile was hopeless. at, but after I told him what had just obviously won’t understand the “Since this was their only child, transpired, he too became very concept of visiting the Lubavitcher the parents would not give up so excited. Rebbe. So I told him that I was quickly. They consulted numerous “The following afternoon, we all going to visit my cousin. The experts throughout the world dealing flew together to New York and went Gentile’s reply stunned me, and with serious head injuries. They straight to the Rebbe’s beis midrash. when I heard it, I thought that I spared neither cost nor effort, and The weather was awful and we were must be dreaming. ‘Look,’ he said to whenever they heard about a frozen to the bone, but deep inside me, ‘if you’re going to New York, specialist in this field, they did we were warm, and our hearts

38 8 Elul 5769 BEIS MOSHIACH 709:Beis Moshiach 23/08/2009 11:02 PM Page 39

aflame quickly in the direction of his room. established ourselves in the world of “This was my first flight to the Our son Meir approached him, and Chabad chassidus, and had sent our Rebbe, and many more followed. the Rebbe leaned over to hear what son, who was nearing the age of bar “The first encounter with the he had to say, like a good and loving mitzvah, to learn in the Chabad Rebbe – the warm and lively father. Meir told the Rebbe about Talmud Torah in Paris, I again chassidic experience, the the condition from which he was merited the opportunity to see and enthusiasm, the excitement, the suffering, and asked for a bracha. be seen by the Rebbe. unique hospitality – will remain The Rebbe looked at him with a big “In those days, the Rebbe would emblazoned in my memory forever. smile and asked him to make certain customarily go into the small ‘zal’ “Another thing that I will never to check the kashrus of anything he upstairs to hear the Torah reading, forget from that trip was the puts in his mouth. and I was privileged to be there with amazing miracle that we experienced “We became even more stringent him on one such occasion. The with our son Meir, who serves today in our kashrus, and ever since that Rebbe approached the bima for an on the Rebbe’s shlichus in the city of bracha, the rashes have stopped aliya, and I was standing right next Eilat. Every time he would eat food completely.” to him. When the Rebbe finished comprised of eggs, fish, chocolate or *** making the concluding bracha and other sweets, his body would break Rabbi Samja’s life story on its turned to go, he wished me a ‘Mazel out with a strange rash. We were own can fill a long and thrilling tov’. I stood there stunned and extremely careful about the food that article. His journey to Chabad is a bewildered. I didn’t understand why we would serve him, and it was very tale of great struggle, and then there the Rebbe was blessing me, as I was challenging. One slip-up, and the are all the other occasions when he unaware of any simcha in our child began to writhe in intense pain. had the privilege of traveling to 770 family. When I called home that “Chassidim advised us to stand and seeing the angelic appearance of night, they just happened to mention near the entrance to 770, and when the Rebbe. that our son Meir had begun to put the Rebbe came back from the , When we asked him to conclude on t’fillin that morning, as it was two we should approach him and ask for his story with one of these many months before his bar-mitzvah. I had his bracha. episodes, he complied by revealing totally forgotten, and I saw this as “That’s just what we did. After a for us an amazing and marvelous literal proof of the Rebbe’s ruach few hours, the Rebbe’s car arrived, incident: ha’kodesh.” and the Rebbe emerged, walking “One year, after we had already

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 709 39 709:Beis Moshiach 23/08/2009 11:02 PM Page 40

thought

more powerful, more resistant than the original, so it would seem desirable to create a combination HOW TO between two things and yet the Torah says it’s forbidden. Parenthetically, there are two ways to graft trees: 1) harkava – you take a branch from a tree that bears ACHIEVE many fruits but is weak and prone to disease and damage and you graft it to the trunk of a strong, resistant tree that doesn’t produce much fruit. The resulting tree has double the TRUE PEACE advantage because it is both strong and bears many fruits. 2) hachla’a – the natural process is when bees, By Rabbi Yosef Karasik etc. bring pollen to the flower; with District Rav Bat Chefer – Emek Chefer hachla’a, this is done manually and a new fruit is created which has the advantages of both of the original How can we make peace between fruits.

opposites? Why is combining two things PEACE AMONG PEOPLE like kosher meat and kosher milk no Let us now examine “peace” – how peace can be made between two good while mixing two positive things is opposite entities, for example, between husband and wife, when seemingly “shalom?” And what does male and female are opposites in nature as Chazal say, “Women are a this have to do with us? * A fascinating nation onto themselves.” look at the parsha from the perspective A practical life situation – how can couples bridge opposing views of Chazal, Kabbala and Chabad when the husband wants to go and learn in the beis midrash and the Chassidus. wife wants him to stay home and be with the family? An easy solution is for one of TWO KOSHER THINGS THAT ox and donkey together.” them to give in to the other for the CREATE A TREIF ENTITY How do we understand this? sake of peace (sometimes a Each entity on its own is fine but in In Parshas Ki Seitzei we learn compromise can be made in which combination, like milk and meat, it about things that are kosher, in and one gives in part way, the husband becomes treif – why? One would of themselves, but their combination going to the beis midrash for half think that the combination of two is forbidden: the time he wanted to be there, but positive things would make Food: the mixing of meat and sometimes a compromise isn’t “shalom,” which is said to more than milk, as it says, “Do not cook a kid possible like when the wife wants to double the good so why does the in its mother’s milk” spend Shabbos in one place and her combination create something Clothing: the mixture of wool husband wants to be somewhere negative, something that goes and linen, as it says, “Do not wear else; in that case, peace is when one contrary to Hashem’s will? shaatnez, wool and linen together” side gives in completely). Generally, when we graft or Land: the sowing of wheat in a The problem with this peace is: combine two different types of vineyard, as it says, “Do not sow 1) you don’t always have someone things, the resulting entity has the your vineyard kilayim” who is willing to give in, 2) even if best of both and is more useful, Animals: “Do not plow with an you find one willing to concede by

40 8 Elul 5769 BEIS MOSHIACH 709:Beis Moshiach 23/08/2009 11:02 PM Page 41

giving in on what he wanted, the of, it becomes easy for each of them there is peace up Above but if positive thing he wanted to do, to give in to the other, knowing that offspring are established down below didn’t happen. In the above example, he or she is not giving in on their by mixing species, this confuses the the husband didn’t learn Torah or he true desire because that will be celestial forces which is the opposite wasn’t home. So we need to achieve fulfilled even if the other one gets of peace. a higher level of peace which doesn’t their way. When someone breeds an animal entail one of the sides giving in but a This is real shalom bayis and in with another animal not of its kid or different perspective on relationships every action, each of them is happy mixes seeds and they are nourished and shalom bayis. and feels that their desires are being one from the other, the celestial fulfilled. forces which provide the ability to DISCOVERING THAT give birth or produce plants are BOTH SIDES WANT THE GOOD PEACE mixed. Therefore, kilayim is AND BAD PEACE forbidden because it combines SAME THING opposites that should not be Superficially, the desires of the To summarize, there are two combined. Seeds should be couple mentioned above are possible types of peace between two separated from one another and the mutually exclusive. If he gets what positive entities: 1) Shalom that does one who does so causes peace in the he wants and goes to learn, he is not not eliminate the desires of the world; the one who combines them, sitting at home; if she gets what she parties; on the contrary, the two chases peace away from the world wants and he stays home, he doesn’t sides retain their good qualities and because he mixes celestial forces and go out to learn. But if you look at at the same time do not interfere creates tension in the Supernal things more deeply, you discover with the other and they live in Worlds. that both the husband and the wife harmony, knowing that even the other’s person action helps advance want “to build and sustain a faithful PEACE IN house on the foundation of Torah the positive goal that I have – which and mitzvos, as Hashem desires.” In is true peace. MOSHIACH’S TIME other words, the husband wants to 2) Shalom in which one side The Rambam writes in the Laws learn Torah in beis midrash because gives in and forgoes their (positive) of Kings that Eliyahu HaNavi will be thus Hashem commanded, and the desire and only the other person’s revealed in the future “to make wife wants him to stay home to have desire is fulfilled. This is not a good peace in the world.” Why will peace in the home because this is peace. Moshiach’s coming entail peace? what Hashem commanded. Therefore, the combination (i.e. The purpose of the world and all Furthermore, the two activities peace) between meat and milk and created things is to “make Him a lead to shalom bayis. The husband’s the other forbidden mixtures, create dwelling place down below,” to build Torah learning creates a serenity of a new entity canceling out the a home for Hashem. All differences the soul which leads to shalom bayis positive qualities of each and this is of opinion are derived from a and his staying at home with his wife pasul. veering away from the main point leads to building family life with love This idea is explained at length which reveals the G-dly truth in the and peace. by Rabbeinu Bachyai in his world and the creations. When truth So their different wants are explanation for the mitzva of is revealed there will be no difference merely external for they both have kilayim. This is the gist of what he of opinion. The world will be full of the same goal of true shalom bayis, says: the G-dly truth that Hashem is one as Hashem wants it, whether On the level of p’shat: Someone and His name is one. through the husband’s learning who combines two entities, changes (It would seem that even in those Torah or by being home together. and undermines Creation which days there will still exist differences makes their home full of made separations between types. He in human makeup and character like love and fellowship, and the pleasant demonstrates that he thinks Hashem the division of the Jewish people into atmosphere of the home enables the did not create enough things in the tribes, for the root of each soul is Torah study to be with menuchas world and he wants to be smart and derived from and is connected to a ha’nefesh and k’dusha allowing him add new entities. different spiritual source (chesed, to grow in Torah. On the mystical level: All created g’vura, etc.) and each of them has a When this truth becomes beings have a force, a mazal up special name and spiritual force; but something both of them are aware Above. If offspring are established in those days there will be no down below within each species, difference of opinion for all will

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 709 41 709:Beis Moshiach 23/08/2009 11:02 PM Page 42

recognize that the differences in It’s not a secret that there are, explanation can be a cause for each one are derived from its unfortunately, arguments among us. fights. Arguments have nothing to spiritual source and not from a But every Chassid is mekushar to do with Chassidus and fulfilling the desire to hurt another or to become the Rebbe and wants to fulfill his Rebbe’s instructions; on the famous etc. Consequently, people desire and make a kiddush Hashem, contrary, hiskashrus to the Rebbe is will not fight). so he does away with his ego and only through getting rid of one’s Moshiach will reveal the G-dly personal desire and devotes himself ego, at home, in the family, among truth to all and a natural to the goal the Rebbe set forth for us friends and neighbors and among consequence will be real peace in the – bringing the Geula, with great love Chassidim. As the song goes, “with world. The preparation for amongst us, especially among the ahavas Yisroel we will bring the Moshiach’s coming, as the Rebbe Chassidic family. goel,” may it be now! taught us in the last farbrengen, You can’t bring the Geula Sources: Likkutei Sichos vol. 29, p. 122; Toras Parshas VaYakhel 5752, is “ahava through division but only through Menachem Tiferes Levi Yitzchok, Shmos p. 154; Hisvaaduyos 5750 p. 448. Bayis Yehudi p. 226 and achdus Yisroel.” love and peace. No excuse, no

Only 1 minute from 770 ^ High Style Hotel in a small format ^ Fancy Studio Apartments @ Kitchen with all the latest technology appliances: Fridge, Microwave, Toaster 9 9 1 1 7 7 - - 6 6 9 9 1 1 - - 5 5 2 2 1 1 2 2 @ Breakfast, drinks in fridge all day 7 7 1 1 8 8 - - 4 4 7 7 3 3 - - 5 5 9 9 3 3 7 7 @ Broadband Internet @ FREE calls & video Linen & Towels changed Fancy Bath & Shower with plenty KKIINNGGSSTTOONN HHOOTTEELL of Shampoo & Soap

"The quickest way to reveal Moshiach is by learning the Torah EEEEsssstttthhhheeeerrrr’’’’ssss PPPPaaaarrrrttttyyyy GGGGrrrriiiillllllll sources about Moshiach & redemption" t"ab,wv grumnu ghrz, p"a 463 Albany Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11213 718-735-4343 Radio Moshiach & Redemption 463 Albany Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11213 718-735-4343 1620-1640 AM around Crown Heights & Boro Park & 1710 AM in parts of Brooklyn 24/6 CATERING ON OR OFF THE PREMISES worldwide live broadcast: www.RadioMoshiach.org CORPORATE ACCOUNTS WELCOME. CORPORATE ACCOUNTS WELCOME. SHLUCHIM; SPECIAL RATES FOR SHLUCHIM; SPECIAL RATES FOR SHABBATONS & PARTIES SHABBATONS & PARTIES

COME SEE COME SEE OUR BRAND NEW OUR BRAND NEW SUSHI BAR SUSHI BAR OPEN FOR IN HOUSE DINING OPEN FOR IN HOUSE DINING TAKE OUT & CATERING TAKE OUT & CATERING

UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE

BEIS DIN CROWN HEIGHTS For donations or dedications make checks payable to: "Radio Moshiach & Redemption" 383 Kingston Ave. #94, Brooklyn, NY 11213 718 756-4530 Tel/Fax 363-1652 Email: [email protected] FREE DELIVERY TO YOUR HOME OR OFFICE sgu okugk jhanv lkn ubhcru ubrun ubbust hjh

42 8 Elul 5769 BEIS MOSHIACH BEIS MOSHIACH 7