B”H Erev Shabbat Devarim, 3rd of Menachem Av, 5780; July 24th, 2020 847

chief of Tsfat. He arrived at the In Defense of Elijah the following Shabbat as the service was about to begin, but Rabbi Moshe Alsheich was the head of when he looked up at R. Alsheich's a large in 16th century Tsfat. seat and saw that it was empty he or- He had received rabbinical ordination dered the congregation to wait, for it from Rabbi Yosef Caro, author of the had been revealed to him that Rabbi [Code of Jewish Alsheich had become very great in Law]. He was a wealthy and extremely . charitable man, in addition to being a great Torah scholar. When it was time for the weekly dis- course about the Reading of the Law One Saturday night after Shabbat de- Moshe Braun, moshebraun.com which R. Yosef Caro always gave, he parted, as he was passing by the home asked R. Alsheich to ascend to the pul- of a certain poor man, he heard the again cried out that he was still hun- pit and speak in his place. R. Alsheich man joyfully wish his wife, "a good gry. R. Alsheich then ran over to some refused at first, insisting he wasn't ca- week," and begin to sing the hymn neighbors and took whatever food they pable. Only when R. Yosef Caro final- "Eliyahu HaNavi" ["Elijah the Proph- could give him, but it was not enough ly ordered him to speak did he agree. et"]. His wife, however, interrupted to satisfy his ravenous guest. R. Alsheich ascended the platform and bitterly: "What are you so happy delivered a discourse. Everyone was about? You know that the children So it continued all through the Shab- amazed by his profundity. have been hungry for many days and bat: the poor man gluttonously con- there is still no food in the house, no sumed whatever he was given and then From that day on, the Alsheich HaKo- firewood either; so where is Eliyahu cried out that he was still hungry. In desh (the "holy Alsheich," as he came HaNavi in whose honor you sing?" the end R. Alsheich said to him: to be called) was the one who deliv-

"Today is Shabbat and there is nothing Upon his return home, R. Alsheich ered the weekly address each Shabbat, more I can do, but with G-d's help, which became the basis for his famous filled a sack with gold coins. He then after Shabbat I shall try to feed you "Toras Moshe" commentary on the covered his face and quietly retraced his steps, opened the door of the cou- until you are satisfied." Torah, ple's house, and threw in the sack of After Shabbat, he sent an ox to be money and ran off. Adapted by Yrachmiel Tilles from sever- slaughtered, but afterwards it was al sources. Rabbi Tilles of Tsfat is a co- found to be treif ["ritually unfit"] and This anonymous generosity raised a founder of ASCENT. His email list for another ox had to be dispatched. This great stir in heaven. The Heavenly stories is in its 23rd year. To join the list Prosecuting Angel, however, said that one also turned out to be unfit. a/o his WhatsApp group for Saturday night Audio, Video and Zoom stories, go it was nothing extraordinary, and that All told, thirty-nine oxen were slaugh- to AscentOfSafed.com or WhatsApp R. Alsheich should not be specially +972-526-770-137. rewarded until he himself went down tered and all were found to be treif! This caused R. Alsheich great financial to test him. loss, but he kept insisting that he had Shabbat Times The next Shabbat, a poor man sudden- to satisfy the hungry man. Finally, the fortieth ox was declared to be kosher, ly appeared in the synagogue and an- Candle Lighting Motzei Shabbat but before they could prepare it, the nounced: "I am hungry; who will feed poor man disappeared. Jerusalem 60:7 10:8 me?" R. Alsheich immediately invited Tel Aviv 60:7 10:7 him for the Shabbat meal. The man devoured all the food that was set in This extraordinary demonstration of Haifa 6086 10:8 front of him and then cried out that he kindness caused another great commo- Beer Sheva 60:: 10:8 tion in the heavenly court. A decree was still hungry. New York 10:: 50:9 was issued that one of the seventy fac- es of the Torah should be revealed to Further helpings also failed to satisfy Of Israel R. Alsheich and an angel was immedi- him. R. Alsheich was so concerned Rabbi Joseph I. Aronov ately dispatched to impart the that he served the man all the food that Published by M.L.S. Kfar Chabad (03) 3731777 knowledge to him. had been prepared for himself and his Editor: Aharon Schmidt family for the entire Shabbat. The [email protected] guest ate everything up at once and At this time, Rabbi Yosef Caro was the Please guard the sanctity of this publication Shabbos Chazon most inclusive revelation of G‑dliness that sented us with these challenges, He gave there will ever be. us the ability to overcome them. This week the Shabbos is given a special name, Shabbos Chazon, which means “the How can the two interpretations coexist? True Growth They are seemingly opposite. Shabbos of vision.” It refers to the hafto- Our Sages describe exile with the analogy rah read on this Shabbos, which begins: Our Unique Nature of sowing seeds. Before a seed can grow “The vision of Isaiah.” into a flowering plant, its exterior husk must utterly decompose. Similarly, for the Isaiah’s vision speaks of the retribu- Such a paradox, however, reflects the G‑dly core of the Jewish people to flour- tion G‑d will visit upon the Jewish people unique nature of the Jewish people. Our ish, all the external dimensions of their for their sins. Conversely, however, the nation is prone to extremes—whether we personality must be stripped away. name of this Shabbos has a positive conno- are at the highest peaks or the lowest tation. As R. Levi Yitzchak of Ber- depths, we simply are not ordinary. In the analogue, the drastic descent that ditchev would say: On the Shabbos of Vi- Why? Because our people, as a whole and characterizes the exile wears away at our sion, every receives a vision of the intellectual and emotional connection with Third Temple. as individuals, share a connection with the essence of G‑d. G‑d. Without gentleness or mercy, exile Severe Descent and Exalted Peek tears apart the husky shells of our person- The essence of G‑d is not computable; it alities. Layer after layer of who we think we are and what we’ve been trained to be, Both of these interpretations relate to the doesn’t fit on a graph. Instead, it defies all what we would like to be, is peeled away. fact that this haftorah was instituted to be definitions and foreseeable determinations, read on the Shabbos preceding Tisha making rules rather than conforming to them. Ultimately, what is left? The very essence B’Av, the fast commemorating the de- of the soul, the point within our being that struction of the Temple and the exile of the is an actual part of G‑d. And when that Jewish people. That essence was implanted in every one of us. Therefore we will be exceptional: at essence is tapped, true growth begins. The traditional meaning focuses on the times sinking to the depths about which When this pattern spreads from person to negative, the severe descent of our people Isaiah spoke, and at times rising to the person, the Jewish people blossom. In do- into sin. For, as the prophet warns, Israel peaks that enable us to anticipate the reve- ing so, they spread the awareness of G‑dli- will be harshly punished for her grave lations of the era of the redemption. ness throughout the world, precipitating transgressions. the dawning of the era of the redemption. What is most unique is that the two ex- The chassidic interpretation, by contrast, tremes are interrelated. The descent leads Reprinted from Keeping in Touch, Vol. 2, points to the redemption from that exile, to the ascent. G‑d structured the challenges Sichos in English. From our Sages and alluding to a foretaste of the most exalted of exile to compel us to express our deep- Moshiach Now! reprinted from spiritual levels, a peek at the ultimate and est spiritual potential. And just as He pre- www.LchaimWeekly.org - LYO / NYC

Yearning for Moshiach These are the words (Deut. 1:1) Shabbat Chazon The tzaddik Reb Yitzchok of Radvil, hav- The relates that G-d says of the This Shabbat is known as Shabbat Cha- ing heard of the greatness of Reb Jewish people: "My children are like the zon, from the Hebrew word which means Avrohom Hamaloch (the Maggid's son), honeybee--all that they toil to produce vision or prophecy. On this day, every traveled to see him. belongs to their keeper. The same way, Jew is shown a vision of the third Holy all the mitzvot and good deeds performed Temple from afar. He arrived on Erev Tishah B'Av. That by My children are done for the sake of night, as everyone sat on the floor of the their Father in Heaven." We learn a spir- The situation is likened to the following: shul reading Eicha and mourning the itual lesson from the bee as well. A hon- A father had a very expensive garment churban (the destruction of the Temple), a eybee does not think of itself when it pro- sewn for his son, who was too foolish to bitter cry was suddenly heard. Reb duces its honey; it does so only because take proper care of his clothes. After the Yitzchok turned and saw Reb Avrohom of the wishes of its Creator. The same son tore the garment the first time, the Hamaloch sitting with his head between should apply to us as well. "I have only father went out and had another sewn to his knees, weeping bitterly. been created to serve my Master," the replace it. The second time the boy acted states. irresponsibly and tore his clothes the fa- Long after everyone had gone, he contin- (the Rebbe) ther, much wiser by now, had another ued watching Reb Avrohom who sat in garment sewn, but decided not to give it the same position without moving. When How can I by myself alone bear your to the son immediately. the clock struck midnight, Reb Yitzchok trouble, and your burden, and your retired for the night. strife? (Deut. 1:12) From time to time he would allow the boy The following morning, Reb Yitzchock to catch a glimpse of the outfit, telling arrived early to shul and found the Rashi comments: "And your burden"-- him that if he behaved properly, he would Maloch still mourning, a puddle of tears this teaches that the Children of Israel then be worthy of his father's gift. The surrounding him, and from time to time, were apikorsim (skeptics and heretics). son longed for the garment and, in such a the Maloch would lift his head and ask in Rabbi Nachman of used to say: way, did the father train his son to im- pain, "He's still not here?..." The heaviest burden a man can endure is prove his behavior and stay on the right that of skepticism. The heart of the true path. Yearning for Moshiach and To Ask for believer is much lighter than that of the Moshiach reprinted from The Weekly heretic, who is always weighed down by (Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev) Farbrengen by Merkaz Anash, on-line at the yoke of his doubts. TheWeeklyFarbrengen.com Seeing the Holy Temple This Shabbos is called Chazon (vision), Connecting with One’s Soul To Ask For Moshiach based on the opening passage of its haftora “Chazon Yeshayahu” (the name The avoda (service) of a Jew is to connect to the source of his neshama, which sees Yeshayahu implies yeshua—salvation). Reb Yaakov Krantz, the Dubno maggid, the Mikdash. The source of the neshama asked a classic question: “How is it pos- At the farbrengen of Shabbos Devarim, is in the heavens; but reaching it is not as sible that millions of Yidden, throughout 5742, the Rebbe quoted the famous teach- difficult as reaching the heavens itself. ing that the Mikdash (Temple) is shown to the generations of exile, have davened, each Jew’s neshama on this Shabbos. Since the Mikdash is shown to each Jew, beseeched and cried to Hashem about the he must try to see it himself. Hashem exile and rebuilding of the Beis HaMik- Some argue that although they know that gives strength for avodah—however, the dosh, yet they have not been answered? each Jew’s nesahama sees the Mikdash on avodah itself must be done by each Jew. Doesn’t Hashem say, ‘Call to Me and I Shabbos Chazon, physically they do not will answer’?” see it. And, although they see it spiritual- Daniel’s companions saw the sight them- ly, it does not affect them. selves and did not hear about it from Dan- He explained with an analogy: A son iel. So too, in that the Mikdash is shown once disobeyed his father and was evict- The Soul Sees to each Jew, he must strive to see the ed from his home. The boy wandered Mikdash himself. Adapted from Derher from city to city and village to village, The verse in Daniel states: “I Daniel alone until he found a place to live in some saw the sight, and those who were with Sudden Inspiration remote town. Meanwhile, the father sat me did not see, but a great fear fell upon in his home, painfully yearning for his them.” There are times when a person gets a sud- den inspiration such as, “I want to learn son, and waited to receive some message The Gemara asks: being that they did not more Torah,” or “I want to daven with expressing remorse and a request to be see, why were they afraid? And the Ge- more concentration.” In Chassidic termi- welcomed back. But his son never made mara answers that although they did not nology this is referred to as an arousal contact. He completely forgot about his see, their neshama did. They were afraid from Above. Yet, where does this inspi- father, whose pain grew sharper … because their own neshama had seen, not ration come from? One day, a merchant who had encoun- because Daniel had seen and told them of tered the son met the father on one of his the sight. Chassidus explains that the heavenly voic- es the neshama hears can, at times, trickle business trips and said: “I’m shocked that The Baal Shem Tov explains a similar down, breaking through the cloud of day you haven’t had pity on your son. Have point to clarify a difficult passage of to day routine, and fill the person with you closed the doors to teshuva?!” Mishna. The Mishna states that each day a inspiration. The father did not hide his pain and re- bas kol (heavenly voice) emanates from The vessel to hold this arousal from plied, “You should know how deep is my Chorev bemoaning the abandonment of heartache and how strongly I await his Torah. The purpose of a bas kol is that its Above is a practical resolution, such as, to increase in Torah learning, charity, return, but unfortunately, I have never message be heard. So, it seems, that a bas received any sign that he wants to come kol, which is not heard, is useless. performance of mitzvos, etc. The arousal will then have a vessel wherein to reside back.” The Ba’al Shem Tov explains that alt- and will have a lasting affect on the per- “If so,” declared the guest, “I am better hough it is not heard physically it is heard son. than ten messengers! I will ask, in your by the Jew’s neshama. son’s name, that you accept him as if he had never wronged you. Okay?” “This is your mistake,” the father said sorrowfully. “I want my son to regret his actions and ask to be reaccepted, for then I will know that he has corrected his bad Shabbat During the Three Weeks ways. You, however, have just come to do business, and not as a messenger sent The three weeks between the 17th of Tammuz and Tisha B'Av are a time of sadness from him.” and mourning over the destruction of the Holy Temples. On Shabbat, however, we are forbidden to mourn. Even if Tisha B'Av falls on Shabbat the fast is postponed until the Reb Yaakov concluded: If, during daven- next day, and the day is spent as a day of joy. These Sabbaths are like the "cure which ing, our focus would be on the exile of is sent before the illness," the illness being the destruction which was to follow. the Shechinah and the rebuilding of Yerushalayim, then surely our prayers These Sabbaths also reveal to us the inner meaning of the exile, which is only a prepa- would be granted. However, we daven ration for the final redemption, described as "a day which is entirely Shabbat." When primarily for our livelihood, health and Moshiach comes and everything is revealed, the Jewish people will even thank G-d for forgiveness, and amongst these requests, their years in exile. we also ask for Moshiach... (the Rebbe) Mishlei HaMaggid M’Dubno HaShalem Question: We had planned to visit my par- Virtual Kotel Tour ents but since our car is in the shop we decided to take a train. My wife was going shopping The Rebbe urged that the Three with a friend and we agreed to meet at the train Weeks should be a time of increased station at 4pm. She came 10 minutes late and and giving of charity– in we missed the train. This is just one example, keeping with the verse, "Zion shall be but it happens a lot. She apologizes but it just redeemed by law, and her returnees by happens again and again. I get frustrated and it charity." Particularly, the Rebbe re- leads to fights. We have been married 22 years quested the study of those portions of and I think it is time she should do something Torah that deal with the building of about this. What do you think? the Holy Temple. It is taught that LIVE in the comfort of your own through this study, Hashem considers home. The Western Wall Tunnels it as if the Temple is built. were filmed using state-of-the-art Answer: A 24 year old man suffered from technology that allows you to take a anxiety and low self-confidence. His parents Given the current challenges with the full tour of these Tunnels without had a nasty divorce when he was between the Coronavirus, The Western Wall Herit- leaving your house. It is a moving 3D ages of nine and ten. If not for the divorce, he age Foundation is proud to present tour with your own guide who will believed he would not have these difficulties. The Western Wall Tunnels 360 take you to see underground treasures On the one hand, it might be true that his issues that convey the fascinating history of were caused by the divorce. However, it is the Jewish nation in Jerusalem. also true that regardless of the divorce, he would Cooking Tip of the Week still have the same issues. Every thing is Divine The tour is suitable for groups or indi- Providence. Where we find ourselves is exactly Parve burgers for the nine days. viduals. It combines film clips and were it has been ordained that we should be. Cook 1/2 cup quinoa in 2 cups of unique illustrations alongside a “real” Our challenges are part of our life’s journey and water. Combine with 1 cup mashed three-dimensional tour. You will even growth. chickpeas (drain and remove skins or be able to ask questions and get per- use frozen precooked and mash), 1/2 sonalized responses. You will go for It is common to blame the situation, i.e. wife, c gluten free panko bread crumps (or a “walk” along the entire route of the husband, children, etc. “If only they would stop crushed cornflakes), 1/4 cup Western Wall Tunnels; visit hidden being so difficult my life would be better!” But chopped onion, 1/4 tsp smoked pap- underground spaces; stand opposite what if they will not change? Is one doomed to rika, 1/4 tsp coarse salt and 1/4 tsp the Holy of Holies; and walk through a life of frustration? black pepper. Mix together and form a Hasmonean water aqueduct. The Gemara (Brachos 5A) states that, “if one patties. Fry or bake. For more information and registra- sees afflictions befalling him, he should examine his deeds” and repent. And Tanya explains, “he Alizah Hochstead, tions: https://english.thekotel.org/ western_wall_sites/360/ will find sins that require scouring by means of [email protected] suffering. He will then clearly see G-d’s great love...” (Iggeret HaKodesh, Epistle 22) In other words, Torah acknowledges that there will be Halacha Corner – Tisha B’Av - Did I Break My Fast challenges. The key is not to blame the situa- tion, but react in a healthy and effective manner. The Halacha, brought down in Shulchan Oruch, is that if a person forgets that it is a fast day and eats, if they eat a Kezayis, they lose their fast. Similarly, if Hashem gives us the year’s of our life to reach one drinks a Revi'is, they lose their fast. However, this Halacha only applies completion. We are a work in progress; in the to a fast that a person took upon himself. When it comes to the regular fast midst of life’s journey. In both marriage and days which Chazal designated, then the Halacha is that the particular day is parenting there are two simultaneous thrusts: 1. the fast day, and therefore there is no concept of "losing the fast" with regard To view our spouse or child as perfect; 2. Ac- to eating afterwards, and one who forgot and ate or drank must nevertheless cept that it is okay to make a mistake. While continue to fast throughout that day. Also, there is no need for such a person this might seem like a contradiction, it is not: to fast an additional day as compensation (unless he wants to do so as a form The fact that my spouse or child is in a process of Kapara, an atonement). of growth is part and parcel of their perfection. Additionally, according to the Tzemach Tzedek, the measurement for which Getting upset and reminding your wife to be on a person would be considered as breaking the fast if they ate on a designated time hasn’t helped. Try something new: See fast day is not a Kezayis, but a Koiseves, the same measurement as on Yom your wife as perfect while understanding that Kippur, a measurement slightly larger than a Kezayis. The measurement for she is in a process of growth - as is each of us. drinking would be Meloi Lugmov, a cheek-full. Allow her to go at her pace. Not only will your marriage be closer but you will create an envi- The relevance of the measurements of Koiseves and Meloi Lugmov is with ronment where change and growth can flourish. regard to whether a person who ate or drank such an amount can be counted in a Minyan, so that the Chazan would be able to say the Brocho of Aneinu. Aharon Schmidt - marriage & individual coach- ing. Video and telephone sessions also Rav Yosef Yeshaya Braun, shlita, Mara D’asra and member of the Badatz of available. For an appointment contact: Crown Heights, 1 Minute Halacha, reprinted from crownheightsconnect.com [email protected]