The World of Lubavitch A publication of Chabad-Lubavitch, Toronto APRIL 2017 Vol. 43 No. 1 (147) NISSAN 5777

My Plastic Pharoah By Tzvi Freeman So here I am, scrubbing out the crumbs from my ergonomic keyboard, faxing in my Deed of Chametz Sale and downloading a new Haggadah. In other words, its almost Passover already. I’ll soon be sitting at the Seder table with family and friends and the same question as with every one of these holidays is going to come up: What are we celebrating? What are we all here for? My kids tell me that’s no question: We’re here to celebrate our freedom. That’s what the holiday is called, “The Festival of Our Freedom.” We were slaves in Egypt, now we are free. So let’s get to the meal and celebrate. I’m glad they feel so free. As for me, I’m still a slave and Pharaoh, king of Egypt, never died. I labor for him all week long. He tricked me into it: First, he let me have all these nice things I really wanted for nothing. Later he started demanding money for them. When, one time, I didn’t pay all the money, he demanded even more money. So I have to keep working real hard to give him all the money he demands. I carry a picture of Pharaoh in his present incarnation in my wallet. It has his very intimidating new name engraved on it. He’s called “Master Card.” But my kids don’t go for that. They say that in the Haggadah it says Pharaoh let us go free. Well, I know the Haggadah a little better than them. The fact is, the Haggadah, like every other piece of Torah, is full of puzzles and seeming contradictions, there just so you’ll ask questions. If you read any piece of Torah, especially the Haggadah, and you don’t have any questions, you obviously aren’t reading right. (That’s why the “Son Who Doesn’t Know How to Ask Questions” gets put at the very end of the table. Not the Wicked Son. Not the Simple Son. The “Unquestioning Son.” Not just because unquestioning is very unJewish, but also because it means youre plain not paying attention to what’s going on.) To get to the point: We just finished making Kiddush, in which we call this “The Festival of Our Freedom.” What do we say next? “This is the Poor Man’s Bread...Now we are slaves, next year we will be free men.” Now is that a contradiction or is that a contradiction? Are we free or are we slaves? So my kids tell me that we’re celebrating that once we were slaves and then we got free and so we’re celebrating. The fact that we all got into a mess and became slaves again, well, too bad. We can still commemorate the past. As long as the dinner is good. Let me tell you something: I’m not into commemorating the past. If I’m going through all this trouble in the year 5760, 3,312 years later to clean my house for Passover and make a big Seder, it’s got to have more significance than commemorating something that cancelled itself out with history anyway. The problem of being a slave with all these contradictions, coupled with the stress of cleaning for Passover, really bothered me. So I went to see a psychotherapist. The psychotherapist listened, took notes and then told me that MasterCard is not Chabad Lubavitch Pharaoh. I am Pharaoh. More specifically, my unreasonable demands upon myself is the Pharaoh. I told him my only real demand upon myself is that I should not be a slave. He said I shouldn’t use that word, “should.” The Honours Warren Kimel word “should” means I’m making an unreasonable demand upon myself. That causes stress. Stress, in his Haggadah, is slavery. The 38th annual dinner Apparently, the Hebrews in Egypt were really stressed out. of Chabad Lubavitch held on Building pyramids was nothing. It’s the stress that did them in. Tuesday, November 22, 2016, “So,” I asked, “What should I do? I don’t want to be a slave.” drew a large crowd from the He told me I shouldn’t do anything. Wanting is ok. I can want to not be a slave. Shoulding is bad. It’s unreasonable to should. entire spectrum of the Jewish Now I was really confused. I had always understood that “I community. It was truly de- should” was my liberator and “I want” was the one that got me in lightful to witness the prevail- all this trouble to begin with. But the hour was up and there I was in ing warm atmosphere as hun- the office showing my picture of Pharaoh to the psychotherapist’s dreds of friends welcomed the secretary. opportunity to participate in “In summary,” I thought, “I shouldn’t say should.” I needed the tribute to Warren Kimel. to make another appointment with the shrink to ask whether I “The honouree has taken a should or should not say that I shouldn’t say should. But, at these leadership role in many com- professional rates, I didn’t think my little Pharaoh would let me. munity initiatives and most At any rate, I decided, I don’t need a shrink to achieve liberation. After all, liberation is a form of enlightenment. When certainly deserves to be rec- is the last time you met a spiritually enlightened psychotherapist? ognized for his generosity What I needed was a guru. An elevated, transcendent soul who is of time and resources,” said essentially liberated and could pull me out of all this muck and Rabbi Zalman Grossbaum, mire. Continued on page 4 Continued on page 18 Page 2 • World of Lubavitch • APRIL 2017 Defeating the Soul of Evil Adapted by Yanki Tauber. Pharaoh” hold the key to the And G-d said to Moses: Exodus from Egypt and the “Come to Pharaoh; for I have liberation of the soul of man? hardened his heart and the The prophet Ezekiel de- hearts of his servants, in order Understanding the scribes Pharaoh as “the great that I might show My signs in serpent who couches in the their midst . . .” (Exodus 10:1) Confrontation between midst of his streams, who Why does it say, “Come says: My river is my own, and to Pharaoh”? It should have Moses and Pharoah I have made myself” (Eze- said, “Go to Pharaoh” . . . kiel 29:3). In other words, But G-d brought Moses into a the evil of Pharaoh is not de- chamber within a chamber, to fined by the promiscuity that the . . . supernal and mighty characterized the pagan cults serpent from which many of Egypt; not by his enslave- levels evolve . . . which Mo- ment and torture of millions; ses feared to approach him- not by his bathing in the blood self . . . (Zohar 2:34a) of slaughtered children—but A list of pivotal events in by his egocentrism, by his Jewish history would certainly that seems but a preliminary Pharaoh inside his palace, another meaning of the phrase regarding his own self as the include the exodus of the to the Exodus. Indeed, the at the hub of his power. (On “Come to Pharaoh—“come” source and standard for every- children of Israel from the land concept of the leader of Israel earlier occasions, Moses had in the sense of “enter within.” thing. of Egypt. The Exodus marked coming to Pharaoh’s palace to been directed to meet Pharaoh To liberate the people of Israel For this is the root of all our birth as a people, and we petition him to let the Jewish in other places, such as on the from the “great and mighty evil. Self-centeredness might are enjoined to “remember people go—implying that the king’s morning excursions to serpent,” it was not enough to seem a benign sin compared the day that you went out of Jews are still subservient to the Nile.) So, G-d promised merely go to Pharaoh; Moses to the acts of cruelty and de- Egypt, all the days of your Egypt and its ruler—seems Moses that He Himself would had to enter into the core of pravity to which man can life.” Indeed, when G-d re- the very antithesis of the Exo- accompany him to Pharaoh. Pharaoh, into the very root of sink, but it is the source and vealed Himself to us at Sinai, dus! The word “come” is thus to his power. essence of them all. When a He introduced Himself not The phrase “Come to Pha- be understood in the sense of person considers the self and as the Creator of heaven and My River its needs to be the ultimate raoh” also evokes much dis- “come with me”; G-d is say- Who is Pharaoh, and what earth, but as “your G-d, who cussion in the commentaries. ing to Moses, “Come with Me arbiter of right and wrong, has taken you out of the land does he represent? What is his his morality—and he might Why does G-d tell Moses to to Pharaoh.” “innermost essence”? Why of Egypt”! For the defining come to Pharaoh? Would it The Zohar goes on to say initially be a very moral per- element of our relationship did Moses dread confronting son—is a sham. Such a per- not have been more appropri- that Moses is being invited Pharaoh in his palace, if G-d with G-d is not that we are be- ate to say, “Go to Pharaoh”? by G-d to meet with the in- ings created by Him (of which Himself had sent him there? The Zohar explains that nermost essence of Egypt’s And how does “coming into Continued on page 18 there are many others in G-d’s Moses feared confronting ruler and god. Thus we have world), but that we are free beings—beings in whom He has invested of His own infin- ity and eternity, beings em- powered by Him to transcend the constraints of the material world and the limits of their own natures. The Name Bo means “come.” The name of the third section of the book of Exodus derives from the Parshah’s opening verse, in which G-d instructs Thus on the latter days of Moses to “come to Pharaoh” Passover, our transcendence of to warn him of the eighth Remembering the Future time enters a new, heightened plague (the plague of locusts) phase: it is one thing to vitalize and to once again deliver the By Yanki Tauber the first night of Passover we at the Sea,” which contains an memory to the point of actual divine demand that the ruler “In every generation,” say break the bonds of time, having important allusion to the Mes- re-experience, but quite anoth- of Egypt set free the children our sages, “a person is obligat- received a mandate to experi- sianic era; on the eighth day, er to make real an event that of Israel. ed to see himself as if he him- ence the Exodus “as if he him- the haftarah (reading from the lies in the future, especially an The Torah considers the self has come out of Egypt.” self has come out of Egypt.” Prophets) is from Isaiah 10:32- event that has no parallel in the name of a thing to be the artic- Mitzrayim, the Hebrew We recall the Exodus in our 12:6--one of the primary proph- history of man. Yet in the clos- minds, verbalize it in the tell- ecies on the future Redemption. ulation of its essence; certain- word for “Egypt,” means ing hours of Passover, we enter ly, such is the case with the “boundaries” and “constric- ing of the Haggadah, digest it Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov, in the form of matzah and wine. founder of the Chassidic move- into the world of Moshiach. Torah’s own names for itself tions”; yetziat mitzrayim, “go- Having vaulted over millennia and its components. The name ing out of Egypt,” is the endeav- As we passover the centuries, ment, instituted the custom of a Torah section always con- or to rise above all that inhibits memory -- those faded visages of partaking of “Moshiach’s of past on the seder nights, we veys its primary message and the soul of man, be it limitations of past that generally constitute Feast”--a mirror seder of sorts now surmount the blank wall of the common theme of all its imposed by an outside force, or our only answer to the tyranny that includes matzah and four future, to taste the matzah and subsections and narratives. the physical, psychological or of time -- becomes experience, cups of wine--on the afternoon wine of the ultimate redemp- One would therefore ex- spiritual limitations imposed by and history is made current and of the eighth day of Passover. tion. habit and nature. real. pect the section of the Exodus Passover is an eight-day The World of Lubavitch Chabad Lubavitch of Ontario to be called “Exodus,” “Free- One of the most constrict- ing elements of the human festival, with two opening and A Publication of HaRav Dovid Schochet Rabbi Chanoch Rosenfeld dom,” or some other name Spiritual Leader Chabad of Hamilton condition is the phenomenon two closing days of heightened Chabad-Lubavitch 770 Chabad Gate Rabbi Z. Aaron Grossbaum Rabbi Mendel Kaplan that expresses the significance observance and commemo- Executive Vice-President of this defining event in the of time. Time carries off the Thornhill, Ontario Chabad @ Flamingo ration (Yom Tov). While the L4J 3V9 Rabbi Vidal Bekerman Rabbi Yisroel Landa past and holds off the future, Chabad at York history of Israel. Instead, it confining our lives to a tempo- theme of redemption runs as a (905) 731-7000 Israeli Community Services derives its name from Moses’ current through the entire fes- www.chabad.ca Rabbi Mendel Bernstein Rabbi Sholom Lezel ral sliver of “present.” But on Chabad of Richmond Hill Chabad of the Beaches coming to Pharaoh—an event tival, the first days of Passover Editor: Rabbi Tzali Borenstein Rabbi Moshe Spalter Chabad of Durham Rabbi Mendel Nakkar focus primarily on our first re- Chabad of Barrie Associate Editor: Rabbi Mendel Chaikin Rabbi Avrohom E. Plotkin ON OUR COVER demption -- our liberation from Chabad of Downtown Rabbi Z.A. Grossbaum Chabad of Markham Egypt thirty-three centuries Rabbi Nechemia Deitsch Rabbi Mordechai Silberberg Advertising: Chabad of Midtown Chabad of London ago--while the closing days Rabbi Moshe Spalter Rabbi Yechezkel Deren Rabbi Yisroel Simon highlight the final redemption Chabad of Maple Typesetting: Chabad of Kingston -- the future era of divine good- Rabbi Yoseph S. Gansburg Tamar Shuchat Education Rabbi Yitzchok Slavin Shir HaMaalot Chabad of Mississauga ness and perfection heralded Circulation: 5500 Rabbi Levy Gansburg by Moshiach. Chabad Bayview York Mills Rabbi Moshe S. Spalter Subscriptions: $10 yearly Administrator & Media by Artist: Rabbi Menachem Gansburg On the first two nights of $5 per copy Chabad on the Avenue Rabbi Moshe E. Steiner Chabad of Uptown Passover we conduct the Seder, SPRING 2017 Rabbi Moshe Goldman reliving our redemption from Chabad of Waterloo Rabbi Rafi Steiner Yoram Raanan Chabad of Guelph Egypt in the telling of the Hag- We cannot take Rabbi Yitzchak Grossbaum Camp Gan Israel Rabbi Yoseph Y. Zaltzman responsibility for the Russian Community Services gadah, the eating of the mat- Kashruth of the items Rabbi Yossi Hecht zah and the bitter herbs, and advertised in this Chabad of Aurora Rabbi Zalman Zaltzman publication. Chabad of Niagara the drinking of the four cups Rabbi Mendel Grossbaum See story on page 13 of wine. On the seventh day of Chabad of Newmarket Passover, we read the “Song World of Lubavitch • APRIL 2017 • Page 3 vwwc

SUNDAY MAY 14

FEATURING THE TWINS FROM FRANCE

FREE CELEBRATING UNITY ADMISSION

EARL BALES PARK Weather 12:00 noon (Sheppard & Bathurst) permitting 2:00 - 6:00 pm

HOT AIR 1:00 - 2:00 pm BALLOON RIDE Limited tickets available. Tickets will be sold starting 11:30 am

TWINS FROM FRANCE FAIR & RIDES Kosher Food! New, more rides! UNITY PARADE Carnival Booths! Free Bow Marching Band! Clowns! Floats! and Arrow set Live Music! for each child participating in FREE PARKING the Parade at 55 Yeomans Dr. 5:00 pm Courtesy of Congregation Beth David BONFIRE

THE INTERACTIVE JEWISH EDUCATION www.LagBaomer.ca CENTRE

A Project of Chabad Lubavitch Institutions, Jewish Russian Community Centre and Tzivos Hashem Canada

CORPORATE Randy Cohen SPONSOR 905.771.9300 Page 4 • World of Lubavitch • APRIL 2017

Twins From France to Chabad Lubavitch Perform at Lag B’omer Honours Great Jewish Family Festival Warren Kimel The popular Twins From during the Talmudic by floats depicting various Continued from page 1 making Judaism meaningful France, brothers Yisroel era some two thousand Mitzvot and Jewish themes. and relevant to the masses and Moshe Gurion, will years ago, this exuberant During the afternoon Regional Director of Chabad and equally for the individual. once again perform at this celebration takes place in the participants will enjoy Lubavitch. With his unique talent, exu- year’s Lag B’Omer Family the great outdoors, be it a host of rides and try their The evening program berance, and knowledge he Festival. The city wide a park, field or stadium. skill at carnival booths. The began with a prayer for our kept the audience spellbound celebration will be held at Needless to say the Remax hot air balloon will brethren in Israel led by Rab- as he successfully presented bi Moshe Spalter, administra- a timely message with bril- Earl Bales Park on Sunday radical departure from the be on hand to offer children liance and cutting edge hu- May 14th 2017. Their norm leaves an indelible vertical rides. Food booths tor of Chabad Lubavitch and followed by opening remarks mor. performance will take place impression and lingering will offer conventional fair His message highlighted at the noon hour rally in the memories that remain for a and carnival treats. During by dinner chairman Ronnie Appleby. In his opening re- this year’s campaign slogan Zukerman Amphitheatre. lifetime. So too, it reflects the afternoon a DJ will marks he noted how gratify- “What’s the Point”, under- The superb act of these the unique character of this spin lively Jewish music. ing it was to see guests and scoring the indestructible soul versatile acrobats is truly special day. Admission is free. So too, representation from all the imbedded within each person. amazing. They continue to Shortly after assuming in keeping with tradition innovate and have perfected leadership, the Lubavitcher young boys who have just reached the age of three will be feted and have the opportunity to celebrate this milestone - their first haircut - with the masses. In past years, this event attracted some five thousand people, young and old, who participated in a most meaningful and enjoyable day. Much effort and expense is being invested in this grand celebration. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to bring their friends and neighbours. Lag B’Omer is Hebrew Mr. Ronnie Appleby chairs the dinner their show to keep the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. for the 33rd day of the Omer major institutions that form audience spellbound and Schneerson obm instituted a counting. This is a reference the infrastructure of our won- “Der pintele Yid,” may some- coming back time and again. children’s parade in support to the biblical mandate derful city. times lay dormant or even They can be identified of traditional Jewish values, to count seven complete The festive spirit was buried beneath a façade of in- by any 5 year old by their especially Jewish education. weeks from the second augmented by a dazzling per- difference, still, the sleeping trademark plaid hats with Since its inception almost day of Pesach, culminating formance by the thirteen year giant is prone to be awoken old Biana Pinchuk, who has by fanning its dormant em- long payos at the sides. As 60 years ago, whenever Lag with the festival of Shavuot bers with a dosage of Torah a result of their numerous B’Omer occurs on Sunday, which occurs on the 50th been honing her proficiency since the tender age of five. study or by the performance videos and card games, they city wide parades are held day. The Talmud notes that of Mitzvot. are forever being watched throughout Israel, and in during the Omer period The Floridian musical prod- igy enthralled the august as- Extolling the virtues of on iPads all over the world Jewish communities all a plague of enormous sembly with a compilation of their humble dad, the honor- allowing mothers to prepare over the world. proportion erupted in which musical compositions on the ee, Lauren Weiss and Jeffery for Shabbat etc. They This year, Lag B’Omer 24,000 students of Rabbi violin. It was truly a delight to Kimel spoke with much pride are self-taught and very once again falls on a Sunday, Akiva perished because listen to and witness her con- how he does so much for the talented and on the cutting May 14, 2017. A full day of they did not show proper centration and agility as she community, with no fanfare. edge so always remind your festivities is planned in the respect to each other. Hence blended both traditional and They noted with much admi- children, “Don’t try this at city centre, at Earl Bales numerous restrictions original scores so skillfully. ration the time and resources home!” Chabad Lubavitch, Park, starting at 12 noon associated with mourning In a most humorous man- he gives so generously for together with our partner and culminating with the are observed. On Lag ner an eight minute video clip Jewish education, our seniors, sponsors: Tzivos Hashem customary evening bonfire B’Omer, this plague ended showcased some of the en- and the Jewish Federation. He Canada and JRCC, are and music. The celebration and conversely it is a day of deavors of Chabad Lubavitch. taught us that “there are no truly delighted that we were begins with a noon hour celebration. The hilarious footage has the shortcuts, it’s all about hard able to book them for this rally and the acrobatic show The day of Lag B’Omer honoree, Warren decked out work, and action speaks loud- auspicious day. by the Twins from France. is also celebrated as the in a Chassidic frock and a er than words.” Generally Jewish In keeping with tradition Yartzeit of Rabbi Shimon wide brim fedora taking up a With much delight Rabbi holidays and rituals are the children, proudly Bar Yochai, one of the challenge from Rabbi Gross- Zalman Grossbaum presented observed at home and at displaying banners, will most noteworthy Talmudic baum to reach out to the un- Mr. Warren Kimel with a large affiliated. Whether it’s - man artistic silver Menorah in rec- Shul. One exception to the march along Bathurst Street sages who authored the ning a shift at a Tefilin station rule would be Lag B’omer. in sync with marching Zohar, the primary treatise ognition of his unstinting and or offering shoppers to say indiscriminate generosity to- Ever since its inception bands and accompanied of Kabbalah. But whereas a bracha with the Lulov and a Yartzeit is usually a Esrog somehow his attempts wards the entire spectrum of somber day, Rabbi Shimon are unproductive while others Jewish life which advance left explicit instruction succeed so effortlessly. In the Jewish education, healthcare, that his day of passing be final scene, Rabbi Grossbaum our youth, and Israel. celebrated in a most joyous and Warren agree to each stay In his acceptance mes- manner. In Meron, Israel, loyal and devoted to what sage Warren, with charac- the burial place of Rabbi they do best: The rabbi will do teristic humility, admitted Shimon bar Yochai and his outreach and the businessman that the inspiration for com- son, Rabbi Elazar, hundreds will support these endeavor- munity service comes from of thousands of Jews gather sw. The video continues with his wife Debbie, who takes each year to celebrate with some adorable remarks from a leading role in countless Warren’s grandchildren, Elle, causes. So too he acknowl- bonfires, torches, song and Sophia, and Teddy. feasting. edged his knowledgeable and The guest speaker, Rab- dedicated staff which allows As restrictions of bi Yoseph Y. Jacobson, en- mourning are lifted on him the luxury to devote time rd thralled the assembly with his and resources for community this 33 day of the Omer, wit and wisdom. Drawing a weddings, parties, listening causes. All this is possible af- verbal tapestry he enlightened ter an early morning power to music, and haircuts are and underscored the contribu- commonly scheduled. boost that includes Tefillin tion of Chabad Lubavitch in and a fitness regime. World of Lubavitch • APRIL 2017 • Page 5

Chabad Extends Local Shluchim Northward to Newmarket Gather for Inspiration True to our mandate to Newmarket is Rabbi Mendy estimated at some 300 The phenomena of Shli- Shluchim. A weekend conclave reach out to Jews where and Libby Grossbaum. families, the sparse presence chut, the generic Hebrew word dedicated to share ideas and ever they may be, Chabad Mendy is the son of has a silver lining, in that that summarizes the presence explore new initiatives. Dur- Lubavitch of Ontario is Rabbi Zalman and Esther everyone eagerly welcomes of a Chabad representative ing the Shabbat Farbrengen, opening yet another satellite Grossbaum, who serve at the the opportunity to express in Kinshasa, Congo Ho Chi the Rebbe would charge the centre in the neighbouring helm of Chabad Lubavitch their Jewishness and Minh, Vietnam and 3 thousand Shluchim with an inspirational city of Newmarket. Anyone of Southern Ontario for over participate in Torah classes less exotic locations, is attrib- message and new directives. travelling up to cottage four decades. His wife Libby and holiday programs,” said uted to the incredible vision of Year after year, the august country on Highway is the daughter of Rabbi Rabbi Zalman Grossbaum. Rabbi Menachem Schneerson, assembly grew from hundreds of blessed memory. Ever since of delegates to thousands, 404 surely took note of Yisroel and Leah Spalter, Arriving just a few weeks and while the enormous event before Purim the inaugural the Rebbe assumed the mantle of leadership in 1951, he en- was conducive for global is- event was a Purim family couraged his Chassidim to sues and inspiration, it was no celebration. Some 35 families reach out to the unaffiliated all longer an intimate setting for with children gathered at the over the world. In due time the open discussions and problem Doug Duncan Community Hebrew word Shlichut would solving. Hence the Rebbe sug- Centre to hear the Megilla, become the generic term that gested that in addition to the and celebrate Purim. The encapsulated the vocation of international annual assembly, children designed masks thousands of young rabbis and there should also be periodic and decorated cookies with their families that responded to geographically regional con- an assortment of sweets. All the clarion call of the Rebbe. ferences in all countries and children in costumes received Although the initial foray districts. prizes. Still the overriding into the global landscape of Today, the GTA is blessed atmospheric joy was the post WW2 was fraught with with over 80 Shluchim, who many challenges and hard- head our satellite centres, arrival of Chabad to the up schools, summer camps, and and coming municipality ships, the Rebbe always took a special interest in the wellbe- Chabad Houses. With diverse where numerous housing responsibilities and conflicting subdivisions are under ing of his growing brigade of Shluchim. Their struggle was schedules, getting together is construction. certainly of merit but difficult Currently they are his struggle and their success was his success. The Rebbe to schedule. However when promoting and assisting took a keen interest in both, Rabbi Yossi Shusterman of Los Angeles , a veteran Shl- people with the upcoming their physical and spiritual festival of Pesach. Still, iach and a recognized halachic well being. On countless oc- decisor was invited to spend a initially they will be doing casions the Rebbe spoke fer- their utmost to build a weekend in Toronto to address vently about the vital role and the parents of Cheder Chabad, comprehensive data base great merit of the Shluchim as they continue to learn Rabbi Yossi Gansburg seized to be charged with the task of the opportunity to organize a of new families that reside fanning the dormant embers of regional conclave for the GTA the numerous housing the designated Shluchim in Newmarket and East the soul, embedded in the unaf- Shluchim. The conference, Gwillimbury. Rabbi Mendy filiated Jew and waiting to be which was also addressed by developments sprouting of Weston, Florida. Having kindled. further and further north both been educated in the and Libby are available for Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, who teaching and counseling So too, he initiated nu- was personally charged by blanketing the horizon with Chabad school system and merous endeavour to organize houses where just a few years raised from infancy in an anyone interested in studying the Rebbe, to spearhead this about their heritage, as and unify the Shluchim as an universal initiative, covered ago it was all corn fields. environment permeated with entity unto themselves not- The city of Newmarket the spirit of outreach, they are well as to answer questions such topics as how to reach pertaining to Judaism. withstanding the geographic as many Jews from diverse boasts a growing population cognizant of the challenge distance between them or the backgrounds and still maintain that will soon number which lies ahead, yet they are Mendy can be reached at 647-770-2539 or via email at diverse designation assigned to strong Halachic standards. The 100,000. The York Region equally energized with the them as rabbis, educators, ad- Shluchim spent the evening headquarters is centrally satisfaction that comes along Rabbi@JewishNewmarket. ministrators. The common goal com together, sharing words of in- located in the township. So with creating an environment was enough to bridge Bangkok spiration over dinner. A spe- too, it includes the Upper where Judaism will grow and For more information and Boston and the Cheder cial program and luncheon was Canada Mall which is flourish. on upcomingw events and teacher to the campus rabbi. also organized for the Shluchot currently undertaking a 60 “Although Newmarket classes visit the site www. Thus in 1983 the Rebbe sug- and women who serve as edu- million dollar renovation. has small Jewish presence, JewishNewmarket.com gested an annual conference of cators. No doubt the worldwide expansion of Chabad Lubavitch branches can be attributed to the living legacy of Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, the Lubavitcher Rebbe of blessed memory. His inspiration continues to motivate young and energetic couples to join his forever growing brigade of Shluchim. During the course of some four decades the Rebbe extolled the importance and obligation of promulgating Torah values amongst all Jews wherever they may be. Furthermore, he noted, that engaging in the dissemination of Yiddishkeit will be a most rewarding experience for those that respond to his clarion call, notwithstanding the hardships that may be associated with reaching out to the unaffiliated. Indeed, today the universal network of Chabad Lubavitch centres around the world amply bears witness of the Rebbe’s vision and conviction. The young couple awarded the opportunity to engage as Shluchim to Page 6 • World of Lubavitch • APRIL 2017

Joseph Kerzner Model Matzah Bakeries: Camp Scholarship Hands-On Entertainment Fund and Education From the inception of To ameliorate and ad- Children from all There is the wheat-grinding or even own on Passover. the Lubavitch Day Camp, dress this concern we have walks of Jewish life room, where a “farmer” We show the kids how the some forty years ago, spe- established an endowment touch, feel and learn has the children remove the equipment must be dry cial consideration was given fund. The fund is dedicated about Passover traditions kernels from the wheat stalk before we begin mixing, and to deserving families who in memory and in tribute to at the Chabad- and operate a hand mill, that we keep the flour and were offered a discount in Mr. Joseph Kerzner alav ha- Lubavitch model matzah crushing the wheat into flour. water in separate structures accordance to their needs. Shalom. Indeed, his bequest bakery. For some parents it’s That is also where the rabbis until the moment they mix, This initiative was taken in is the primary and initial déjà vu having attended the tell the Exodus story in a just like in matzah bakeries. accordance to the wish of source of revenue. Still, in model bakery some thirty manner that has the children The Thornhill model Rabbi Schneerson obm, the order to preserve the prin- years ago while attending giggling in their seats. The matzah bakery is part of Lubavitcher Rebbe, who ciple and grow the fund we one of the numerous next stop is the bakery, a chain of hundreds of fervently encouraged all have elected to dedicate the schools that feature the pre which is divided into two similar ones around the Chabad centres to establish income of our Greeting Card Pesach visit every year. sections. In one area, kids world. More than 3,000 camps so that no child would project to enhance the exist- The rabbinical students get to stand in a specially children come annually waste his time aimlessly over ing endowment. Whether who direct the bakery do a built structure to mix flour to the Chabad Lubavitch the two months of summer. it’s a birth, Simcha, Yartzeit, fabulous job, while gaining and water, and then knead Community Centre to make Furthermore he noted, “Va- or to convey condolences, some “real time” experience. cation may be a break from these attractive cards are a Sara Hecht, director general studies but it is not a meaningful and practical of the Chabad Talmud Torah break from religious study or way to express your senti- in Aurora concurs. “Rabbi practice.” ments. Through a year round Asher and Rabbi Mair are Heeding the clarion call “All occasion” greeting card so animated, and you can of the Rebbe, the Lubavitch program, we hope to grow tell that they really love Day Camp grew from year the fund so that the “fruit” it kids.” The program is to year and with a stellar yields provides the resources interactive and engaging. The model matzah bakery is an important part of getting into the Pesach mode so schools make the extra effort to book a date and arrange transportation. During the recent hour- long presentation, Jason Federman and approximately the dough. In another area, matzah in a fully outfitted 80 other toddlers laughed they line up at tables and model bakery that includes and cheered as they baked roll out their dough, then matzah, the thin cracker- watch as their matzah gets an authentic oven. According like food eaten on Pesach to placed into a brick oven on to Rabbi Moshe Spalter, “We commemorate how the Jews a wooden pole. have children who come to left Egypt in such a hurry “We try as hard as we our programs from literally that they didn’t have time to can to ensure that our model every sector. There have allow the dough to rise. matzah bakery is a true been Boy Scout troops and Mr. Joseph Kerzner A”H Rabbi Yossi Gansburg, representation of the real special needs children. They educational director of thing,” explains Rabbi Mair, came from Reform schools, reputation it now provides a needed to successfully ad- Chabad Lubavitch noted that whose father is the Chabad Conservative schools and meaningful summer to over dress the growing needs in almost every Jewish school rabbi of the Vancouver fervently Orthodox schools, 600 children. Yet, this has our scholarship fund. and Talmud Torah will visit Chabad community. “The public schools, and even not slowed us down and six Indeed, the deed of Tze- the model matzah bakery key to baking matzah is that groups from other cities. years ago Chabad Lubavitch daka is the most tangible in the weeks before Pesach. the water and flour must And then there are the adults. We hope that the results not be in contact for more launched Camp Gan Israel. way to show you care and is We have senior groups who Situated in picturesque Hali- considered the “gift of life.” are noticeable on the night than 18 minutes before of Pesach with the active they are placed in the oven, have participated and had a burton region, the overnight This notion is elucidated blast. Passover is a tradition camp is a sprawling 207 acre by Rabbi Schneur Zalman participation of youngsters because any more than at the family seder. that and the mixture will treasured by all Jews. We all oasis along the shores of of Liadi, the founder of the eat matzah, and we can all Basshaunt Lake. The month Chabad Chassidic Move- The rabbinical students become chametz (leaven), long program (girls in July, ment. He explains the cen- oversee a number of stations. which we may not consume learn”. boys, in August) in the great trality of Tzedaka in Jewish outdoors, is a perfect setting life and why it is recognized for youngsters to invigorate as the most inclusive obser- the body and nurture the vance. He notes; “when one soul. gives charity they are giving All in all, well over the gift of life, since the said 1200 youngsters enjoy the allocation is the result of his/ summer by attending either her hard earned efforts to the Lubavitch Day Camp earn a livelihood. Further- or Gan Israel in Haliburton. more, even when the effort is Notwithstanding the finan- minimal and the gift is from a cial burden, we feel we get surplus, still one could have excellent value by providing elected to indulge; hence the a meaningful summer for charity extended to others is over a thousand children and considered the “gift of life.” teenagers, either as campers So the next time you or counselors! wish to express your good A considerable por- wishes of Mazel Tov, why tion of campers attend on a not convey your sentiments scholarship. Notwithstand- with a greeting card from the ing some funding from the Joseph Kerzner Camp Schol- Toronto Star Fresh Air Fund arship Fund and give the and the Federal Government, “gift of life.” Greeting cards over the years, the skyrock- may be ordered by contact- eting costs have severely im- ing the Chabad Lubavitch pacted our fiscal stability. office or at www.chabad.ca World of Lubavitch • APRIL 2017 • Page 7

Newfoundland, The Next Frontier to Draw Chabad to its Shores By Shmuel Loebenstein Newfoundland. The earliest recorded Jew- I could hear the screech It is here, on this island ish presence in the province of packing tape being in the Atlantic Ocean that is from 1770, when English stretched across cardboard only joined Canada in 1949, Jews started making their boxes and the thud, thud of that the romantic writer may way across the pond. Si- its ends being slapped down truly offer his tributes to the mon Solomon—possessed by eager hands. Speaking wide expanses untouched by of a name so Jewish-British by phone to Rabbi Chanan man and the thrill of being that it is obvious he was Chernitsky at his apartment on the edge of civilization. among their numbers—was in Montreal, a mountain of But what the 27-year-old the first postmaster of New- cargo seemed to grow in rabbi and his 26-year-old foundland, arriving there the background. He and his wife see in Newfoundland in 1792. The Jewish com- wife, Tuba, were preparing and its Jewish population is munity grew in dribs and to send it all to their new what truly drove the fron- drabs, numbering about 100 families in the 1950s. Today, perhaps 500 Jews reside in Cabot Tower on Signal Hill in St. John’s, the capital of Newfoundland and Labrador. Newfoundland. On that trip a year ago, could now draw. Toronto- want to do,” says the rabbi the native Canadian couple nian businessman David before rattling off a list (both from Winnipeg) threw Levine, who has been trav- of initiatives he had in the a Tu B’Shevat party and set eling to Newfoundland on pipeline. to work meeting the locals. business, helped serve local They aim to start a They came back again Jewish needs by, among oth- Sunday-morning tefil- from Purim to Passover, er things, organising holiday lin and breakfast club, offer when they held seders in event, helped build a foun- a range of Torah classes conjunction with the com- dation for a permanent pres- and establish a full Jewish munity leadership. Dur- ence. presence at the university, in ing that month-long stay, The rabbi is under no addition to holding Jewish the Chernitskys distributed disillusionment about what holiday programs and handmade shmurah mat- Jewish living in Newfound- celebrations. Their very first zah, conducted a children’s land will be like. There is no event, on March 5, came Rabbi Chanan & Tuba Cherintzky with their older two children. program, chatted with resi- Jewish day school, no ko- just three weeks after their dents and began to feel that sher dairy, and they are a arrival. Their oldest child this place might just become three-hour plane ride from and son, Menachem Men- home and the home of Can- tiersmen of old: the un- their home. Montreal and its Jewish del, had his upsherin (his ada’s newest Chabad House: tapped potential and untold “We enjoyed our visits, hub. But he is not deterred. first haircut at the age of 3) St. John’s, Newfound- promise. There has not been but still weren’t sure what He has all but convinced the in his new home—the first local supermarket to stock land. Their dishes, books, an Orthodox Jewish pres- we’d do,” relates the rabbi. such event on the island in kosher chicken, has found strollers, menorah, Shab- ence in Newfoundland for “We returned to Montre- about 40 years. A Purim kosher bagels in the local bat candlesticks, and other decades, and to the Cher- al and within a couple of party was held a week later. home and Jewish necessities nitskys, it is fertile land to weeks made our decision: Costco and has already dis- covered a circle of Jewish Chernitsky describes would soon begin a 1,500- till (agriculture metaphors— We would move to New- the harsh winds that rage in mile journey to a remote growth, fruits, seeds—are foundland.” students at the nearby Me- from the Atlantic and whip Canadian island—and so the next best option after morial University of New- through St. John’s, the fog- would the Chernitskys and frontier ones). Theirs was not the foundland. their three young children. The uniqueness of New- only Chabad foray there; As for all the other parts giest city in Canada—some Writers tasked with re- foundland’s Jewish com- rabbinical students sent of Jewish life—well, that’s reports say in the world. porting on the Chabad shli- munity is a reflection of by Lubavitch headquarters why the Chernitskys are Newfoundland may indeed chus juggernaut have shown the province, which also in New York had for years there. be a cold place, but the a weakness for frontier includes mainland Lab- come periodically to the Chernitskys are determined language, eager to write rador to the northwest, as province, slowly cultivating “We have plans. We’ll to stoke its Jewish flame of uncharted territory and a whole. Prior to joining contacts and relationships start slowly and carefully, (fire metaphors are a favor- the intrepid young couples Canada, Newfoundland was on which the Chernitskys but there’s a lot of things we ite, too). who bring the wisdom an English colony for centu- and practice of Torah to ries; the native-born tend to Jewish locals and travelers have English, Irish or Scot- in remote areas. If there tish ancestry. Its time zone ever was a place deserving is half-an-hour off from any of the frontier label, it is other time zone in North America. It stands apart geographically from much Steeles of Canada—a rugged terri- tory of roughly 150 square Dignity miles with a little more than Memorial 500,000 people just 1,300 miles from Greenland. Tri- Comfort angular in shape, the rocky Chapel island blocks the mouth of the Saint Lawrence River, creating the Gulf of Saint Compassion Lawrence, the world’s larg- est estuary. 350 Steeles Avenue West The Chernitskys first vis- Thornhill Ont. L4J 1A1 - (905) 881-6003 ited St. John’s, the capital of Established 1927 Newfoundland, in February 2016. The first Jews to ever C.P. Saucier, Managing Funeral Director visit came a bit before that: Page 8 • World of Lubavitch • APRIL 2017

1 Million Pounds of Shmurah Matzah: How Passover Production Continues to Rise A Rarity in the 1950’s has Become a National Food Trend

By Dovid Margolin made available around the been a wholesaler of shmu- free and at a loss. They devel- Jewish children has grown Passover is around the country went beyond words. rah matzah since 1976, and oped the demand.” up with shmurah matzah, corner, and handmade shmu- In one notable example, he is the man largely responsible While adults causing the demand to grow rah matzah is starting to arranged that the Chabad- for getting handmade matzah received shmurah matzah exponentially. pop up on supermarket Lubavitch movement’s central into the supermarket aisle. from their local Chabad When President Barack shelves. Before long, it’ll be educational organization, Demand had picked up by rabbis, their children were Obama hosted the White everywhere—from Costco to Merkos L’Inyonei Chi- the time he got into the often learning about it through House’s first-ever seder in the White House. Demand for nuch, pay for Korf’s shmu- business, yet the price of one of Chabad’s most popular 2009, the round, handmade the traditional, round matzah rah matzah advertisements in American shmurah matzah yearly programs: the “Model matzah was supplied by a was still too high for Matzah Bakery” workshops. supermarkets. In the last few decades, young aide from Springfield, Starting with the Path- hundreds of thousands of Mass., named Eric Lesser. mark chain in the New York children have gotten the Eric’s father, Dr. Martin area, Frimerman began stock- chance to make their own Lesser, had been receiving the ing shelves in the New York handmade matzah through round matzah from Chabad area with lower-priced shmu- this program conducted by of Springfield’s Rabbi Dovid rah matzah imported Chabad at Chabad centers, Edelman for decades, and from Israel, an effort that Jewish community centers when it came time to making grew as he penetrated more and other places around the the White House seder, it markets further away from world; in Toronto alone, some was only natural for Eric to the tri-state area. Some mar- 3,000 children experience bring the real stuff. kets expanded their offerings the program annually. While As the production faster than others—some- the matzah they make is for and consumption thing Frimerman unhesitat- educational purposes and of shmurah matzah ingly chalks up to the loca- not kosher for Passover, the continues to grow each year, tion of Chabad emissaries. children learn an appreciation “The entire shmu- for what goes into making a Gurock, a keen observer rah matzah market was able handmade matzah. of American Jewish life, To meet a growing demand, matzah bakeries begin baking shmurah matzah to develop first and foremost Through seeing Chabad- synopsizes the product’s as early as October, producing batches of the tasty discs for consumption the due to the shluchim,” attests supplied shmurah matzah at dramatic half-century of world over. (Photo: Eliyahu Parypa) Frimerman. “There was a their family seders—soon growth: “The Rebbe’s time when they were the only after making their own from dictum ends up at the White has grown at a rapid rate Chicago through the Chabad ones distributing it, often for scratch—a generation of House. That’s amazing!” in the last 60 years, and in emissary there. 2017, according to a survey On the other side of the conducted by Chabad.org, country, Chabad’s first repre- more than 1 million pounds of sentative in Los Angeles, Rab- Register Today! the handmade variety will be bi Shmuel Dovid Raichik, produced in the United States heeded the Rebbe’s call and alone. To meet the growing became the sole distributor of demand, matzah bakeries handmade shmurah matzah around the world begin on the West Coast. Despite baking shmurah matzah as the lack of demand within the early as October, producing Jewish community, each year batches of the tasty, smoking before Passover, Raichik and discs. his sons would go to UPS to It wasn’t always like that. pick up the boxes of round Tzal Rotter, 81, who grew matzah sent to him by Korf. up in Brooklyn’s Browns- One of Raichik’s primary ville neighborhood, recalls focuses was delivering the being among only a hand- matzah to Jewish day schools ful of Jewish children eat- throughout Southern Califor- ing shmurah matzah. On the nia. In this way, he ensured eve of Passover, Rotter’s that generations of children father would close up would learn about the special his kosher butcher shop and matzah in school before tak- the two of them would make ing it home and insisting that the long trip to Manhattan’s their parents eat it at the sed- Lower East Side to purchase er. the special matzah. “My father would walk “I remember it being the into principals’ offices and only matzah bakery around,” sell them on the idea,” recalls says Rotter. “It was in a tiny the late rabbi’s son Rabbi Shi- house with a storefront, and mon Raichik. “Then the kids the bakery was downstairs in had it at their seder.” the basement.” ‘They Developed the De- In 1954, the Rebbe—Rab- mand’ bi Menachem M. Schneer- “What’s interesting about son, of righteous memo- the emergence of shmu- ry—began talking about rah matzah in American the importance of eating Jewish life is that for most, authentic shmurah matzah, their immediate ancestors encouraging his followers didn’t use it,” notes Jeffrey to distribute it to every Gurock, professor of Jewish Jew they met and to teach history at Yeshiva University them about its significance. and author of Jews in Go- It was around that same tham: New York Jews in a time that he encouraged a Changing City, and more re- recent Russian immigrant, cently, Jews of Harlem. “The Rabbi Yehoshua Korf, to open Rebbe’s matzah campaign is what became the Lubavitch- very important in introduc- er Matzah Bakery at 109 ing it, and its authenticity Broome St. on Manhattan’s resonated even among Jews Lower East Side. who are not particularly ob- The Rebbe’s insistence servant.” that shmurah matzah be Yossi Frimerman has World of Lubavitch • APRIL 2017 • Page 9

According to the study, came to feel that “being Jew- is pretty positive.” commitment to practices such ish” is very important. It is late September at as lighting Shabbat candles None of this should sur- Stanford University and stu- and decisions like choosing to prise. Chabad’s been a com- dents are settling in for the new marry Jewish as well as belief pelling fact of campus life school year. Rachel and Dov in G-d are bolstered among in North America for de- Greenberg counted 25 rs- students who participate in cades, and, without a study vps on their facebook page Chabad on campus with fre- to tell them where they’re at, for Shabbat dinner. They set quency. The most marked Chabad’s campus represen- up for 75. (Fifteen years at results showed up among tatives have been impacting Stanford have taught them to students from Reform or no Jewish continuity with re- prepare for triple the num- denominational backgrounds. markable success. Being out ber of reservations.) The liv- For example, as much as 46% in the field, interfacing direct- ing room and dining room of more of the students who ly with Jewish people from ev- the Chabad House—also the The Hertog Study: came from no religious de- ery conceivable background, Greenberg family home—fills nomination but engaged fre- the Rebbe’s shluchim have an up quickly, and as more stu- quently with Chabad as com- intuitive grasp of where and dents spill into the Chabad Tracking Jewish Conti- pared with those who don’t, what the needs are, and a keen House, they pull out more decided that it is very impor- sense of what works and what tables. At 11 p.m., students tant to marry a Jewish person. doesn’t. are still coming in. There is nuity Through Chabad The study also found that Chabad’s rapid growth on no shortage of food, but now 36% more of students with campus over the past 16 years, there is standing room only. no religious background be- from 35 centers in the US to All told, 105 students—an on Campus came “very attached” to Israel 198 (there are 235 world- impressive number consider- as a result of their high level wide), has been well docu- ing that the semester hadn’t by Baila Olidort Among the misconceptions, of participation with Chabad. mented. But this is the first yet begun—celebrate Shabbat A new third-party study said Rosen, associate profes- And the number of students time a study collected and an- with the Greenbergs. Dov and on Chabad’s impact on Jewish sor at Brandeis University’s (from that same group) who alyzed data on the long-term Rachel work the room, con- students at American college Hornstein Jewish Professional took leadership roles in a Jew- impact of its work with Jew- cerned about establishing a campuses challenges Jewish Leadership Program, was the ish organization grew by 25% ish students. personal connection with each philanthropic organizations to idea that Chabad tries to influ- if they’ve spent time regular- “Chabad itself has never new face. The Greenbergs are conducted any empirical stud- now in the process of recruit- ies, but the shluchim were ing another Chabad couple confident enough in the so that no student gets over- efficacy of their work to looked. cooperate with an independent “Judaism is not threatened study,” said Rabbi Yehuda by great acts of betrayal and Krinsky, chairman of the abandonment,” reflects Dov. Chabad educational arm. “As the study confirms, it “Thanks to the Hertog Foun- is endangered by small acts dation, we now have numbers of negligence and neglect. that confirm what we’ve been Therefore it is saved by small claiming all along, and this acts of renewal and rededica- should be of interest to those tion—one deed at a time, one who care about supporting student at a time.” Jewish continuity.” For Chabad campus rep- Understandably, if you are resentatives who are typi- a foundation or a philanthro- cally underfunded by Jewish pist deciding where your mon- philanthropies, the study may ey will be put to best use, you prove to be a useful resource. may need the metrics to con- It may inspire in more funders vince you. “Until this study, the confidence of Mr. Rohr all the evidence was anec- who has been investing prodi- dotal,” said Mr. Roger Hertog, giously in Chabad well before president of the Hertog Foun- he had the benefit of the Her- dation and the Tikvah Fund. In tog study. an interview with lubavitch. “For Chabad shluchim go- com, Mr. Hertog said that his ing out to their post, there is no high regard for the Rebbe and ‘Plan B,’” he told lubavitch. take a closer look at how their ence students to become Or- ly at Chabad. The study also the work of Chabad motivated com. “Failure is simply not charitable giving measures up thodox, or to become Chabad. makes a correlation between him to fund the project. “This an option for them. There’s no and where their investments It doesn’t. But it did find frequent engagement with is the first time that someone better investment than part- yield the most significant re- that Chabad encourages stu- Chabad and the rise by 30% has put such data forward, and nering with inspired ‘entre- turns. dents to deepen their Jewish of students with no religious though we had no idea which preneurs’ who have so much “The study sheds much- identity. upbringing who consequently way it would go, the evidence skin in the game.” needed light on the power and effectiveness of the Chabad presence on college ‘Energy in the Air’ as Thousands of Teens campuses,” says American businessman and philanthro- pist George Rohr, who has Pack Times Square funded the establishment of “Am Yisrael Chai!” rang hundreds of Chabad centers out in Times Square on Saturday night. Over and over again in on campuses in the US and the young voices of 2,000 Jew- abroad. “As a result, philan- ish teenagers who were gath- thropists serious about invest- ered in New York as part of the ing in Jewish continuity will ninth annual CTeen Shabbaton realize what an extraordinary on February 25th. An inspira- opportunity they have in sup- tional Havdalah ceremony was porting campus Chabad Hous- followed by a huge celebration, complete with speakers and the es.” lively music of performer Eli Underwritten by The Her- Marcus. tog Foundation and conducted CTeen chapters from Mos- over a three-year period, the cow, Monaco and Brazil attended study surveyed more than the Shabbaton for the first time, 2400 alumni under the age joining other groups from around of 30 from among 22 campus the world, including 75 Israelis, Chabad centers and looked to make this the largest interna- tional representation to date. at 18 measures of Jewish en- “You could feel the energy gagement. Its findings, says in the air,” said Rabbi Mendy Dr. Mark I Rosen, the study’s Kotlarsky, executive director lead author, “provide the of Merkos 302,the division at evidence to dispel the mis- Chabad Lubavitch world head- conceptions, and the data to quarters that founded and admin- support Chabad’s claims to isters CTeens worldwide, as he looked around at thousands of positively impacting Jewish students exhibiting Jewish pride, identity and engagement.” identity and happiness. Page 10 • World of Lubavitch • APRIL 2017

“Keep Quite” Documents Journey of Former Hungarian Politician

Csanád Szegedi’s story is “Csanad is inherently an own story: the son of Hungar- astonishing. As vice-president interesting character, but the ian Holocaust survivors who of Jobbik, Hungary’s far-right moment we saw him with escaped to New York, now re- Mazel Tov! extremist party, Szegedi fer- Rabbi Oberlander we knew turned to Hungary to help heal vently espoused anti-Semitic we had gold,” says Martin, the community his parents The First Jewish rhetoric and was a vocal sup- who has produced films for fled in such a fractured state.” porter of the Holocaust denial England’s Channel 4. Szegedi is now a practic- Wedding in the movement. Then came a revelation: Kingdom of Cambodia a long-buried secret was ex- posed that upended his career As the sun set over and a delectable dessert table and turned his life on its head. Phnom Penh, locals, tourists is what the guests saw,” he Szegedi learned that not only and guests from all over the continues. “But everything were his maternal grandpar- world gathered for the first there was the product of the ents Jewish, but his beloved Jewish wedding known to be hard work of my wife, Mashie. grandmother was actually a celebrated in the Kingdom of It would not at all have been survivor of Auschwitz, who Cambodia. possible without her.” had hidden her faith for fear The bride, Shlomit (Irina), The Butmans were joined of further persecution. had met Rabbi Bentzion and by Chabad Rabbi Boruch and Life as Szeg- Mashie Butman, co-directors Mushka Hecht, who came di knew it, was over. of Chabad Jewish Center in with their children from Lengthy, painful and soul- searching conversations with his mother and grandmother revealed not only their Jew- ish identity, but also his own. Suddenly, the very religion he had despised for over 3 de- cades had become an undeni- able part of his inner life. Although Jobbik consid- ered retaining Szegedi as the party’s “tame Jew” in order to combat accusations about their anti-Semitic ideology, Szegedi was eventually forced to quit. Horrified and angry, with his political career in tatters, Szegedi realized he needed to begin searching for his roots and heritage. Shlomit and Vadim Mitropolitansky. (Photo: Serge Karloff) Unsure of how to navi- gate his new identity, Szegedi Rabbi Oberlander told the ing Orthodox Jew. He ob- Phnom Penh, Cambodia, sev- Bangkok. The Hechts have approached Rabbi Baruch filmmakers that his guiding serves Shabbos, attends syna- eral years ago and begun her been in frequent contact with Oberlander, Chabad’s Head ethos is simple: He believes gogue, is studying Hebrew journey to Torah observance. the couple, helping them pre- in Hungary and leader of the it his ethical duty to embrace and is trying to familiarize The groom, Vadim Mitro- pare for the Jewish home they Orthodox Jewish community every Jew regardless of their himself with Mitzvos. He has politansky, is an Israeli who have now established. in Budapest. past. adopted the Hebrew name now lives in Bangkok, Thai- In taking the traditional land. When the two decided place of parents, the Chabad Together, the two most Enabled by Chabad’s ac- Dovid and is even considering to tie the knot, they chose to couples walked the bride and unlikely of allies embarked ceptance, Szegedi re-evalu- making Aliyah to Israel. do so at the Chabad center in groom down the aisle to the upon a journey to confront ates, and is forced to tackle, The 93 minutes movie Phnom Penh. white chuppah canopy that Szegedi’s dark past and re- the painful truths of his famil- was shot in Hungarian and English and was an “Official The rooftop ceremony was overlooked the Phnom Penh flect on his new future. The ial legacy, his own wrongdo- skyline. journey is chronicled in a new ing and the turbulent history Selection” at the Tribeca Film followed by a festive dinner in Festival. the newly finished event hall On a personal note, But- documentary film titled “Keep of his country. man points out that the wed- Quiet.” “Rabbi Oberlander is George Robinson of the on the Chabad center’s second New York Jewish Week called floor. ding took place on the 10th an- Directed by Sam a wise-cracking New York niversary of his and his wife’s Blair and Joseph Martin, the Rabbi with a big heart and a the movie “a superb piece of Local Cambodians, nonfiction filmmaking, telling friends, relatives and Chabad own wedding. “They could film charts Szegedi’s 3-year lot of wisdom,” Matrin says. not have given us a better gift a story of import with grace families from both countries voyage of self-discovery as “He was always tough on and intelligence.” than to be part of a wedding Rabbi Oberlander guides him Csanád, never shying away swirled in dizzying circles, of two Jewish people who will following the lively music be founding a beautiful home from the depths of personal from correcting him or point- supplied by the keyboardist based on the foundation of To- turmoil and crisis, to the pos- ing out his mistakes. It meant who had flown in from Isra- rah and Judaism.” sibility of hope. every scene between them had el for the occasion. an element of conflict, which “In times of joy, as well as helped the storytelling. Fur- sadness, community takes the thermore, their odd couple place of family in this part of friendship developed and was the world, where most Jews a great narrative device to are here without family,” says chart Csanad’s growth.” Rabbi Butman. His colleague Blair points Living in a country with out: “As the film shows, not no kosher catering, bakery or everyone in the Jewish com- even stores, the Butmans are munity agrees with Rabbi accustomed to using ingenu- Oberlander’s decision to take ity and hard work to pull off Csanad under his wing.” events large and small. A wed- But Matrin says he hopes ding, however, presented its own set of challenges. Rabbi Oberlander will be “seen in the context of his “Beautiful centerpieces Mashie Butman and Mushka Hecht escort the bride to the chuppah. World of Lubavitch • APRIL 2017 • Page 11 Chabad Opens Center in 50th State: South Dakota By Menachem Posner South Dakota, with a very small Jewish population scat- tered throughout the state’s vast expanses of windswept prairies, has long held the dubious dis- tinction of being the only state in America without a rabbi. ward to them living here,” he be wonderful to be able to study That is now a thing of the says, noting that it will be a sig- with a rabbi and increase my past, when Rabbi Mendel and nificant change for a community Jewish understanding.” Mussie Alperowitz moved from that has not had a permanent rab- Recognizing that the local Brooklyn, N.Y., to Sioux Falls— bi in decades. “We will develop a Jewish community is diverse in the state’s largest city—to direct new relationship with each other, its level of Jewish observance, a Chabad-Lubavitch center that and I am excited for that.” he says he believes that the Alp- will cater to a community dat- His sentiment is mirrored by erowitzes “have the wisdom to ing back to the days of the Wild that of Dr. Richard Klein. “I do bridge the gap and help bind us West. a lot of studying Torah on my all into a strong, unified commu- The young couple’s arrival is South Dakota, known for the iconic images carved onto Mount Rushmore, will now have permanent emissaries to serve Jewish residents and visitors in the state. own,” says the urologist origi- nity.” being met with special attention nally from Cleveland, “so it will as North American Jewry marks Chabad shaliach,” said the east to the Black Hills in the 75 years since the Rebbe—Rab- Alperowitz. “Like the faces of west and were part of a prosper- bi Menachem M. Schneerson, some of our country’s greatest ous community when the terri- of righteous memory—and his leaders etched into that faceless tory became a state in 1889. PM Netanyahu Shares wife—the Rebbetzin Chaya mountain, we hope to carve the As with many smaller Mushka, of righteous memory— image of our forefathers in the American Jewish communi- arrived on U.S. shores from war- blank earth.” ties, the mid-20th century saw Personal Inspiration torn Europe in 1941. The Rebbe would often re- younger Jews leave for larger There will now be a per- fer to the United States as “a metropolitan areas, with few re- manent Chabad presence in all country of kindness” and ex- turning back home. From the Rebbe With 50 states in America, as well as pressed his gratitude and ap- “We have almost no grand- Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin preciation for the nation that be- parents in this community whose Islands. came the welcoming haven for grandchildren live here, too,” Australia’s PM The appointment was the Lubavitch movement. Poeti- says Stephen Rosenthal, a Texas announced to an emotion- cally, the final state to welcome native who has lived in South Benjamin Netanyahu ar- Turnbull.” ally charged gathering of a permanent emissary couple Dakota since 1973 and serves as Towards the end of the 5,600 Chabad-Lubavitch rabbis rived in Sydney, Australia, in is home to Mount Rushmore, the state chair of AIPAC. “Most February for a four-day visit visit, Wolff and Central Syna- and lay leaders in New York at the iconic symbol of American of the Jewish people here now the gala banquet of the Interna- to the country, a historic first gogue president Danny Taibel history and presidential leader- were not born here, and many of for a sitting Israeli prime min- presented Netanyahu with a tional Conference of Chabad- ship, which was completed only the grown children choose not Lubavitch Emissaries (Kinus ister. Among his initial stops framed photo of the prime min- months after the Rebbe’s arrival to stay. Others come and replace on day one of the trip was ister receiving a dollar bill from Hashluchim). in New York and the start of his them.” Alperowitz recalled a Sydney’s Central Synagogue, the Rebbe—Rabbi Menachem outreach work there. One constant for South Da- led by Chabad-Lubavitch Rab- M. Schneerson, of righteous blessing to “fort gezunterheit— The Chabad-Lubavitch em- kota Jewry, however, through- travel in good health”—that he bi Levi Wolff, where he and memory—taken during Netan- issaries’ move to South Dakota out the years has been Chabad- yahu’s tenure as ambassador to received from the Rebbe as a is being seen as a boon for the Lubavitch. Shortly after the Australian Prime Minister Mal- child preparing to return home colm Turnbull were greeted by the United Nations in the 1980s. state, its Jewish residents, and Rebbe arrived on U.S. shores, Turnbull has proven a force- to England together with his significantly beyond. he began dispatching traveling an overflow crowd of 2,000 parents, sharing with the crowd In the latter half of the 19th rabbinical students to isolated members of the local Jewish ful advocate for Israel, blasting how those words are fortifying century, following the construc- communities around the globe, community. the U.N. Security Council’s laden with heavy suitcases of Torah literature and Judaica ma- terials, boundless energy and vi- brant Jewish knowledge. From the outset, there were visitors to Rushmore State. The young rabbis combing the state to meet with individual Jews scattered through an area of 77,000 square miles were often the Jewish lifeline for the small-town merchants and farm- ers who were the descendants of 19th century immigrants (Since the mid-1980s, Rabbi Mendel Katzman, Chabad-Lubavitch emissary to nearby Omaha, Neb., has also made periodic visits to assist the community.) Rosenthal notes that the Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tells Australian Prime Minister Roving Rabbis’ visits picked Malcolm Turnbull about the lasting influence of the Rebbe after Rabbi Levi up in frequency in recent Wolff presented a framed photo of Netanyahu and the Rebbe taken when the years. “It used to be summer, premier was Israel’s ambassador to the U.N. then [also] Chanukah and then [also] Purim,” he reports. “It “I want to bring all of you recent Resolution 2334 con- became something we grew to greetings from Jerusalem, our expect and appreciate.” demning Israel. He commented eternal capital,” Netanyahu told in The Australian: “My govern- Although it has been widely the cheering audience, “never to accepted that fewer than 400 ment will not support one-sided Jewish people reside in the en- be divided again!” resolutions criticising Israel of tire state, Rabbi Alperowitz es- Along with Turnbull, for- the kind recently adopted by timates that it may actually be mer Australian prime ministers the Security Council, and we John Howard and Tony Abbott home to as many as 1,000 Jews. deplore the boycott campaigns He also believes that the Jewish were in attendance, as was New South Wales premier Gladys designed to delegitimize the population may have been bol- Jewish state.” stered in recent years by a strong Berejiklian, and various other Australian and Israeli dignitar- Thanking Wolff for the economy and the growing finan- rare original photo, Netanyahu Rabbi Mendel and Mussie Alperowitz take a stroll with their children in the Crown cial and healthcare industries. ies. Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn, N.Y. They will leave to become the Chabad- Netanyahu urged members walked over to Turnbull and ex- Lubavitch emissaries in South Dakota, the last of all 50 American states to get a perma- of the Jewish community, and plained its particular resonance. nent Chabad presence. (Photo: Eliyahu Parypa/Chabad.org) “Even though we will be “This is the Lubavitcher living in Sioux Falls,” says the Turnbull himself, to visit Is- rabbi, “we will be traveling rael, telling them: “I want you Rebbe,” said Netanyahu, “a him today. tion of transcontinental railroads regularly to serve other Jewish to walk the streets of the Old great rabbi. ... When I came to “Those are the words and the discovery of gold in the communities and individuals City and hike the Golan,” be- the U.N. 30 years ago, he called I carry in my heart, as my Black Hills, Jewish merchants wherever they may be, including fore adding that “the Golan will me in and told me: ‘You are go- wife, our two daughters and flocked to the area (then the the incarcerated.” never go back to Syria.” ing into a house of darkness, but I ready ourselves to move to southern part of Dakota Territo- Rosenthal is excited about “Thank you for this warm even in such a dark place, if you the Rushmore State—the final ry). They established businesses the educational programs the welcome, and this year in Je- bring in a light, even a little light state without a permanent stretching from Sioux Falls in couple will offer. “We look for- rusalem—with Prime Minister dispels much darkness.” Page 12 • World of Lubavitch • APRIL 2017

Montana Rabbi to Neo-Nazis: Torah Topples Hate By Mordechai Lightstone Although a neo-Nazi march in Whitefish, Mont., was post- poned, Chabad-Lubavitch of Montana is continuing with In First Act as Chap- its plan to “fight darkness with light.” Neo-Nazis had scheduled lain, Rabbi Fulfills Wish an armed march against the small Jewish community in Whitefish for Monday, Jan. of Jewish Soldier Killed 16—corresponding on the sec- ular calendar to Martin Luther King Jr. Day, but canceled it in WWII after they failed to obtain the by Ruthie Blum referring to how Weiner – a necessesary permits. This fol- At a ceremony last Febru- navigator assigned to the 345th lowed weeks of targeted ha- Jewish community members in Whitefish gather for a Torah class with Rabbi ary, the rabbi chaplain recently Bombardment Group stationed rassment against members of Chaim Bruk, co-director of Chabad-Lubavitch of Montana. The town was tar- in Japan – was killed in action the town’s 200 or so Jewish geted for an armed neo-Nazi march on Jan. 16, Martin Luther King Jr. Day. when his plane was shot down families. “This is a chilling time days before the US bombed nachem M. Schneerson, of expression of the greater Mon- Hiroshima and Nagasaki and for members of our commu- nity,” says Rabbi Chaim Bruk, righteous memory, emphasized tana community’s backing of caused the Japanese govern- the importance of every Jew- the Jewish population in state ment to surrender. co-director of the Chabad House based in Bozeman, ish home being filled with holy that’s known as “The Last Best Originally buried at Yoko- Jewish books to be cherished Place.” hama Cemetery in 1945, Wein- which serves the entire state (another Chabad center in Mis- and studied, transforming the Since first visiting Montana er’s body was moved four years home itself into a beacon of 20 years ago, Schnall stresses later to the National Memorial light. the “overwhelming support” Cemetery of the Pacific in Ha- This is not the first time for his Jewishness that he has waii. It was during the move, the rabbi has launched a wide- experienced from Jews and according to the 15th Wing, spread Jewish campaign. In non-Jews alike. that his headstone inadvertently the summer of 2013, he trav- “Chabad is known for tak- ended up with a cross embla- eled around the state putting ing one light and using it to cre- zoned on it. up mezuzahs on Jewish homes; ate many more,” says Schnall. “We have a sacred duty to he regularly tours the state “Something like this will really US Air Force 1st Lt Levy Pekar protect our service members promoting the observance of inspire others.” and we will do so in all cases, kashruth and other mitzvahs. Readers can take part in life and in death,” said Pe- directly in the Montana assigned to the Nellis Air Force kar. “It is easier to protect them Stephen Schnall, a retired Chumash Project through Base in Nevada, honored an while they’re alive, but it be- physician and resident of Flat- Chabad-Lubavitch of Mon- American Jewish soldier killed comes a bit harder after they head County who lives about tana’s website www.jewish- in the line of duty days before have passed. I’m just glad we 40 miles outside of Whitefish, montana.com. the surrender of Japan in World are able to set a precedence of sees the project as a positive War II, by granting his 72-year- correcting mistakes when we old wish to have a Star of David become aware of them, even Some 1,500 households in Mon- engraved on his tomb stone. seventy years later.” tana will get this edition of the First Lieutenant Levy Pe- A few dozen members of Jewish bible. kar, 29, who is currently un- Hawaii’s Jewish community dergoing basic training at the attended the headstone-re- Maxwell Air Force Base in soula, three hours northwest placement ceremony, reading of Bozeman, serves the com- Alabama — led the headstone- psalms and reciting kaddish, replacement ceremony for Staff munity there and students at Sgt. Jack Weiner. the Jewish mourners’ prayer. the University of Montana). Pekar said that Weiner’s On his Facebook page Pek- “Agents of hate are trying to story “resonated with me on ar wrote of the event: “72 years bully Jews to leave Whitefish. so many different levels. With in the waiting and 6 months in They are wrong; the good souls both of us being Jewish and air- the making. My first step as an of Whitefish are not going any- where.” men, I felt like his story could Air Force chaplain correcting a World War 2 era mistake and Bruk praised the proac- have easily been mine. His tive responses from local law- story affected me on a spiritual an incredible honor to be part of this rectification.” enforcement agencies, as well level and as my duty as chap- as elected officials, including lain I knew we had to correct Pekar, according to a Jew- ish Voice interview in early Gov. Steve Bullock, in support- this mistake…I found out about ing the Jewish community. Sgt. Weiner’s story from his February, was born into a Chabad-Lubavitch family in In response to the march, cousin. At first, it sounded like Bruk has launched the Mon- miscommunication, because Monsey, NY, and grew up in the Beitar Illit settlement just tana Chumash Project, an ef- we couldn’t find anything about fort to give every Jewish fam- him. But after some digging, outside of Jerusalem, the city ily in Montana—some 1,500 we were able to find the Quar- where he was ordained. Today, households in all—a copy of ter Master General’s form that in addition to his Air Force du- the Kehot Chumash (The Five confirmed Sgt. Weiner’s wishes ties, he is studying for his mas- Books of Moses – with English to have the Star of David on his ter’s degree in mental-health translation and commentary). headstone.” counseling. Bruk sees the gift, funded by “What we’re doing here Jews and non-Jews around the is known as country, as the ultimate act of the Hesed Shel defiance against darkness. Emes or the truest form “We do not consider it our of kindness. job to protest the haters,” says A Christian pastor visited the Kotel One of the Bruk. “Rather, we wanted to best things respond with something they recently. Asked, by a Chabad volun- you can do could never compete with. in your life Darkness is allergic to light, teer, if he was Jewish, he said: “My is something and this gift is the ultimate act for the dead of light.” mother is.” He ended up putting on because it is The gift of a Chumash for something every Jewish household is a Tefillin for the first time. that can never Staff Sgt. Jack Weiner’s new headstone that was fitting one, asserts Bruk,- not be repaid,” changed on Feb. 28, 2017. ing that the Rebbe, Rabbi Me- Pekar added, Photos: Tech. Sgt. Heather Redman. World of Lubavitch • APRIL 2017 • Page 13

The Burnt Offerings of a Master Painter By Michael Chighel When I heard the next Good’ two cents. and gratitude as he enumer- It was on that Mon- morning what had happened Yoram wrote: “Studio to- “Yup,” he says, with an ates the acts of kindness and day that I took the bus from the artist’s wife, Meira tal total loss.” almost melancholy smile. appreciation streaming in to Beit Meir, the graceful Raanan, the news knocked I wrote back: “Can you And he jokes about how of- from all corners. He insists little mountain-top village on seeing the destruction as 20 kilometers west of Jeru- an opportunity. salem, in order to visit Yor- We talk about the vari- am Raanan. Yoram is a new ous mundane issues that will friend, though the kind you now require his attention in feel you have known and the next months: the damage cherished for years. When assessment, the police inves- I first chanced upon a print tigation, the plans to rebuild by the artist a number of the studio (“It’ll be better years ago—it was his mas- than the last one, taller! More terpiece, “Mount Sinai”—it mental space to think higher! took my breath away, quite To paint bigger!”), the need literally. And when I saw his to publish a book of his work featured on Chabad. paintings and the prospects org, I grabbed the first oppor- of finding a patron to fund tunity to meet him in person. the book. Yoram and I paced up and “What about getting back down his lush studio, which to painting?” I ask. was overgrown with ex- “Yes!” his eyes light up quisite paintings of biblical and his mind begins to race, scenes and waterscapes and “Absolutely! As soon as I phosphorescent menorahs have a space to lay down and glowing human souls— Yoram Raanan with some of the art destroyed in the fire some canvasses and start a veritable small Garden of pouring out the paint! Let the Eden burgeoning with can- the wind out of me. All those talk? I can’t imagine what ten fire appears in his paint- phoenix rise from the ashes!” vases, paint, and the uncanny masterpieces! The lumines- you are going through.” ings—the flames of the me- Yoram evidently intends to ambience of something holy cent “Shir HaMaalot,” (on Yoram: “I know you can norah, the fire on the altar in fight fire with fire—the -pro going on. our cover) which took one understand and appreciate the Temple, the fire of Torah. fane fire of destruction with I remember our first into the Beit HaMikdash! your concern. House and Then, without batting an the holy fire in the Jewish meeting a few months ago. “I The awesome convulsion of kids OK. Everything in and eyelash, Yoram immediately soul. have no intention of flatter- the Sea of Reeds in “Beshal- of my studio and surround- goes on to elaborate on how I doubt many readers ing you,” I announced, just ach” (behind Yoram in the ing area are completely fin- much good has already come have the patience to plod after shaking hands. “Good!” photo)! The haunting emer- ished. Gam zu l’tova. Shab- of the destruction. “I can’t through my “highbrow” he snapped back instinctive- ald “Esther” that had once bat shalom.” believe how many emails analysis of Yoram’s work. I ly, unafraid of insult. been a painting of an eagle Gam zu l’tova. “This, I’ve received! So many peo- wish there were some simple “I will not flatter you,” I hanging in the Sheraton Pla- too, is for the good.” The ple are writing and calling way for me to communicate said, “because I sincerely be- za! The blazing menorah of phrase is a wonderful profes- and want to help out! People why supporting his work is, lieve that your work is noth- “Vayakhel” in which gold of sion of faith in the face of de- are coming to my website from the standpoint of Jew- ing less than an event in the the candelabra had been al- spair. But to my mind, a hun- and discovering my art for ish culture, less like a luxury history of painting.” chemically transformed into dredfold more astonishing the first time! It’s amazing!” and more like a necessity. He accepted my words pigmented fire! and more wonderful is the His eyes are full of wonder A number of very welcome with a smile free of both The loss of so much beau- initiatives have been set up vanity and false modesty. ty—all of it dedicated to Gd, to raise money to rebuild the And I, for my part, followed all of it reflecting subjects studio. through by writing a long from Jewish life and Jewish Yoram himself muses: article, a kind of exercise in history—constitutes an ines- “Better than sending money, “art criticism,” in which I timable loss for Jewish cul- why not buy a print? It’s a have attempted to articulate ture. It goes without saying ‘win-win’ that way.” why the oeuvre of Yoram that Yoram has sold many As a very biased fan of Raanan marks an event in paintings over the years. But Yoram’s work and someone art history, certainly in the there were certain landmark concerned with spreading the history of Jewish art, if not pieces, including all but one hallowed beauty of his art— beyond. of the pieces I mention in my no less than with seeing him Then the Fires Came . . . article that still patiently resume his labors of love—I In the middle of the night awaited appreciative buy- cordially invite the reader to ers. Besides the hundreds that Thursday, on the 24th Acclaimed artist Yoram Raanan surveys the re- check out his website: www. of Cheshvan, the village of of paintings stacked against mains of his studio and 40 years of artwork that were yoramraanan.com. And to Beit Meir fell victim to fires the walls of the studio, there destroyed in one of many arsonist blazes that swept through Israel. (Photo: keep an eye out for more to suspected to have been start- were hundreds upon hun- Netanel Sharvit) come from Beit Meir. ed by Palestinian arsonists. dreds of sketches and half- Yoram’s studio was entirely finished works stuffed in expression, jotted under such burnt down. drawers, which had slowly dark circumstances: “Shab- accumulated over four de- bat shalom.” cades of prolific labors. After Shabbat, I have The prospect of speak- a chance to talk to Yoram ing to Yoram himself after face to face. He explains this cataclysmic loss, I must his feelings with the same confess, made me quite characteristic simplicity: nervous. Finding adequate “With emunah, there are no words to comfort someone half-measures. You either who has lost an enormous trust Hashem or you don’t.” amount of personal prop- He describes to me how, The recital of Kaddish is the bond which erty is difficult enough. Lost during the frantic evacua- unites the generations from the immemorial property is labor lost. But tion of Beit Meir, he looked unto eternity. It is the way we show our time- how do you comfort an art- back toward the trees under less devotion to our parents and loved ones. In ist who has lost an enormous which his studio lay and saw the event you cannot personally observe this amount of expressions of the conflagration rise into the hallowed expression of love for the duration his very heart and soul? black sky. “I resigned myself of eleven months, alternate arrangements can How is one consoled for there and then,” he said. “Ev- be made through the Chabad Lubavitch Orga- the loss of deeply personal, erything is in the hands of Gd. nization. You may also consider placing bronze spiritual labor? Before we Gd knows what He’s doing. name plates of your departed ones on our Me- had a chance to speak, we You know, it made me think morial Board which will insure The Observance exchanged a few furtive of a korban [‘offering’].” of Yahrtzeit in perpetuity. emails before Shabbat. “Like an olah [burnt For further information call 905.731.7000 offering]?” I ask, ‘This, Too, Is for the immediately regretting my Page 14 • World of Lubavitch • APRIL 2017

By Rabbi Aron Moss

of the Egyptians for their Answer: children came to the surface. The Wise Son and the What Really Have you ever seen Wicked Son are not similar at comes from wise parents. like saying it, but because Ask your children too many your wife needed to hear it, Happened to the a child that is starving for all. They are opposites. The love? They are dead inside. Wise Son asks a question. questions and they will stop you have reached outside Firstborn? One night in Egypt, the The Wicked Son isn’t asking, asking you any. Give your of yourself, bursting the inside came out, and those he is mocking. He doesn’t children clear direction, and bubble of self-absorption poor children had nothing to ask questions of his parents. they will become wise too. that is probably the cause of the blockage in the first I love the Seder, but one nourish them. They didn’t He belittles them. thing that irks me every place. Now you are open to die from lack of oxygen or It isn’t his fault. He is a feel again. It won’t be long year is the Tenth Plague - food, they died from lack of child of post-modern parents. the Death of the Firstborn. “Do You before the love starts flowing love. That is the Mashchis, Such parents don’t ever tell back, more powerful and I understand the Egyptians the destructive force that their children what to do. Love Me?” oppressed the Israelites passionate than ever. ravaged the Egyptian houses Instead of giving their kids The same applies to and I have no sympathy for that night. direction, they ask them our relationship with G-d. Pharaoh. But why did their On that very same questions. Our soul is connected to children die? Couldn’t that I have come to shul a night, the first Pesach, the “Do you want to go to few times now and quite G-d, because it is a part of have been avoided? Israelites gathered in their bed now gorgeous?” enjoy it, but I have an issue Him. But we often don’t homes with their families. “What would you like for with some of the prayers. I feel that connection in our Answer: While the Egyptians were lunch tomorrow princess?” feel like a liar saying things hearts, because we are The slaying of the being confronted with their “Are you ready to stop when I don’t know if I spiritually blocked, our hearts firstborn is central to the own ugly hatred for life, the poking your sister’s eye out believe in them. How can I are frozen to spirituality. The entire Pesach festival. Until Israelites were celebrating cutey-pie?” exclaim, “love G-d with all love is there, just like the soul we understand its inner life with the children that Parents who constantly your heart” when I am not is there, it is just not felt, not apparent. meaning, we haven’t grasped they loved. It was on that ask their children questions sure He even exists? the full depth of the story of We don’t have to wait night that the Jewish people and give them choices are for those feelings to come in the exodus. were born, a family nation putting their children into Answer: What actually killed the You have been married order to pray. It is the other who loves life, and will do a position of authority way around, by saying the Egyptian firstborn? What anything for their children. that they are not ready for, a few years now, and I am was their cause of death? sure that you love your wife words of the prayers, even And so on the same while undermining their without feeling them, the The Torah says that it was night every year, on Pesach own authority. More than dearly. But have you ever woken up one morning with layers of cynicism and the Mashchis - a destructive night, we relive that moment. anything else, children need doubt start to melt away and force - that killed them. But We give our children all of boundaries. They need to a sense that you’ve lost that our connection to G-d comes what was this destructive our attention, we lovingly be lovingly told what is loving feeling? to the surface. force? And why did it kill the listen to them ask the Ma right and what is wrong, Perhaps after a moment So you can pray when firstborns? Nishtana, we do all we can to what is allowed and what of tension between you, or you are not sure you believe For a healthy person, engage them in the Seder. We is forbidden. These ethical maybe you have been feeling it, just like you can tell your there can be no greater joy embrace each child, both lines have to be clear and down for other reasons, or wife you love her even when than the birth of a child. the wise and the wicked. We unequivocal, set down with for no apparent reason at all, you don’t feel it. Because not Giving birth means bringing tell them the story of G-d’s sensitivity but without room you just feel that your heart so deep down, you really do. another soul into the world, boundless love for us, His for debate. is cold and the love you once continuing your family line children. But to give clear felt has disappeared. Is Academic and perpetuating life to the At the Seder, we spill boundaries you have to be What if, just at that next generation. wine in sympathy for those an authority figure, you have moment, your wife asked Antisemitism This is true of every child Egyptian children, and all the to carry moral weight in you, “Do you love me?” Surprising? born. But the firstborn has an children in the world who are the eyes of your children. A What should you answer? additional power. The first starving for love. We show parent who caves in to their Should you be honest and say, “Well, I’m not sure. I am shocked by the re- child is the one who made our own children that they kids’ desires and cowers to surgence of anti-Semitism you into a parent. This is mean everything to us, that their demands, who consults I don’t feel it right now...”? in the world. When Jew-ha- a transformative moment. we love them just for being. their children’s opinion on Not if you want to stay tred comes from backward When you become a parent, And we pray for the day that everything and always gives married. extremists and street mobs, you become a giver of life. every child be loved and them options, will never You should tell her it isn’t so surprising. But But the Egyptians hated every life be treasured, as is command the respect needed confidently and sincerely, when university educated, life. They worshipped death. fitting for a child of G-d. to lay down the law for their “Of course I love you!” And well-read westerners, who They gave offerings to their children. Kids of such parents that is not a lie. Because you know history and have ac- dead, worshiped a god of the see themselves as the know- do love her, it is just that cess to the facts, are able underworld, and spent a huge Wicked Children the love is not manifest in to demonize Israel and the it-alls and their parents as Jewish people, something is amount of time and money and Post Modern silly old people who haven’t your heart at that moment. on elaborate funeral rituals. It is there, it hasn’t gone wrong. Has the world gone Parents got a clue. mad? This is seen in the pyramids, This is the wisdom of the anywhere, but your heart is blocked, not allowing you to Answer: giant tombs built in honour of One thing I never Wise Child. He recognises experience the loving feeling. their death cult. understood in the Haggadah that his parents are the source Just because you don’t feel The academics who Those who don’t value of Pesach. What’s so wise of wisdom, not he, and so he life don’t value their children. the love doesn’t mean that single out Israel for con- about the Wise Son? He needs to ask them questions, Children are new life, and a you are no longer in love. tempt are guilty of ignoring asks his parents, “What not the other way around. death cult doesn’t want life. You are just going through a the facts. But those who are are all the laws that our He looks to his parents for They hate birth, and they G-d has commanded you?” low patch as we all do from shocked by it are also guilty hate their firstborn more than guidance; he seeks their time to time, but the love is of ignoring the facts. He seems no better than input and their point of view, anyone else. the Wicked Son, who is still there as it always was. History has shown that knowing that when it comes This is what killed the criticized for excluding So it is perfectly honest being educated has nothing Egyptian firstborns: their himself and asking “What to life skills, his youthful to say “I love you”, even at to do with being moral. Some parents’ hidden hatred is this Pesach service to energy and idealism are no a moment when you don’t of the most cultured people towards them. On that night you?” - to you and not to match for the experience and feel it. And an amazing have also been the most evil. before the exodus, when G-d him. Does the Wise Son not mature insight of the older thing happens when you do. The Holocaust was revealed His awesome love also say “commanded you” generation. Your heart starts to melt. By committed by men who for His children, the children and not him, thus excluding A wise child doesn’t mouthing the words “I love appreciated classical music of Israel, the lack of love himself? come from nowhere. He you”, not because you felt and read the works of great World of Lubavitch • APRIL 2017 • Page 15

By Rabbi Aron Moss

philosophers. From the very about these is not just point- Its light is not diminished closed-minded religion than be? cradle of modern culture less, it prevents you from by being shared, on the con- Judaism. I know I am allowed and enlightenment came achieving in the areas where trary, the two candles to- You have only quoted to give the ring after the the most barbarous attack your efforts are needed. The gether enhance each others one verse. But I think the last ceremony. However, I want against humanity the world precious energy wasted on brightness and increase light. verse of the song is the most to exchange rings during has ever seen. The notion that being anxious would be bet- We sometimes worry that revealing: the ceremony. Gender evil stems from the ignorant ter saved for more important we may stretch ourselves You may say I’m a equality is a very important masses, and the enlightened pursuits. too thin. In matters of spirit, dreamer / But I’m not the issue to me. I am a highly class are paragons of good- An expecting mother’s it isn’t true. The more good- only one. educated woman, and I also ness is a simple myth. frame of mind has a direct ness we spread the more I hope someday you’ll value my Jewish identity, Ideas have consequences. impact on her unborn child. goodness we have. By mak- join us / And the world will but I am quite upset about An education that teaches Your positive thoughts and ing a new friend you become live as one. this. I would like to hear moral relativism, that there is trust in G-d are as vital a better friend to your old So, according to Lennon- your opinion... no right and wrong, that there for your baby as pre-natal friends. By having another ism there is “you” and there is vitamin supplements and child you open a new corri- “us”. You are the unenlight- Answer: is no absolute truth and there I fully understand your is no G-d, is teaching moral pregnancy pilates. Worrying, dor of love in your heart that ened ones. We have found even with good intentions, is your other children benefit the truth. But hopefully one concern. Many couples have confusion. And in a moral asked me the same question. vacuum it is easy for the not really caring for yourself from too. By teaching more day you will see the light and Coming from a modern lowest of human impulses to or your baby. students you become wiser. become one of us too. Only perspective, it does seem a take root. Civilized hatred is When something worries And by spending time on then can the world finally live little lopsided for the man hatred nonetheless. you, meditate on this ques- meaningful pursuits, you re- as one. Is that open-minded? to give the ring exclusively. It is worth bearing this tion: Is there anything I can alise how precious each day Contrast this with But I believe when you know in mind when choosing an do about this, or do I need is, and use your time better. Judaism’s view that not the meaning you may feel education for our children. to leave up to G-d? Is it my Keep lighting your candles. everyone has to be Jewish. A differently. Academics alone will not business or His business? If There is a fire in your soul. non-Jew can live a perfectly The chuppah is an exact a mensch make. I want an it’s mine I need not worry, I You will never run out of light. fulfilling and meaningful spiritual operation to join institution that will not just need to do something. If it’s life while remaining a non- your souls together. It is not sharpen my child’s mind by His, I need not worry, He Jew. They don’t have to join just a ceremony representing teaching them to read and knows what He’s doing. Imagine us to be considered a good your existing relationship, it write, but will sharpen their Worrying is no more than person. If anything can make is a life-changing event that moral character by teaching a useless diversion from your No Religion us truly live as one, it is the creates a new relationship. wrong from right. real mission. Don’t get lost recognition that we are all Before the chuppah you are in it. Those Yiddish Chinese created by the same G-d, but two souls, after you are one. Indonesians were right, leave I don’t want my children we don’t all have to serve Still two individuals, with Is it Worth G-d to do His job, and you do to be small-minded and Him in the same way. two minds and two hearts, yours. look down at others, so I We each choose a value but a united soul. Worrying? haven’t given them a Jew- system to live by and to teach We can understand how ish education. They have our children. Whether you two souls can become one There’s a Soul in been brought up without call it religion or something by observing how two bodies can become one. The act of I am a constant wor- Your Fire... any religion; they are free else makes little difference, it reproduction is the physical rier. I worry about every- to choose whatever beliefs is a particular way of looking union of man and woman. thing and I know it. Ev- they like. I try to live by the at the world. And much of In this bodily union, the eryone tells me to chill out I notice that lighting words of John Lennon: what is presented today as man gives and the woman but I can’t. The problem candles is a big part of Ju- Imagine there’s no open-minded secularism is as receives. Only this way can is, I always feel if I don’t daism. We light candles ev- countries / It isn’t hard to narrow and self-righteous as new life be created, a child, worry and something bad ery Friday for Shabbos, we do, the most fundamentalist sect. in which man and woman happens, I will feel guilty light candles on every fes- Nothing to kill or die for Imagine a religion that have become one flesh. forever more that I wasn’t tival, and Chanukah is all / No religion too, teaches its children to be The physical world is a worried enough. Now I’m about candles. What is the Imagine all the people / proud of who they are, but mirror image of the spiritual pregnant and am obsess- connection between candles living life in peace... that not everyone has to be world, and the workings of ing about what may go and spirituality? Doesn’t that sum it all like them. Can you think of a the soul are reflected by the wrong. But if I don’t worry, up? religion like that? workings of the body. Just doesn’t that mean I don’t Answer: It’s easy if you try. as physical intimacy is the care? I am in therapy, but There is something about Answer: union of bodies, the wedding do you have any Jewish a flame that makes it more I admire your passion and ceremony is an act of spiritual strategies for me to get out spiritual than physical. idealism. You have obviously Can We Play With intimacy, uniting souls. And of this cycle? When you use something given some thought to your so in this act of spiritual union physical, it is diminished. children’s moral future, the Facts of Life? the man, expressing the male power of being a bestower, Answer: The more money you spend, which is a credit to you. But I the less you have. The more don’t see how the philosophy gives the ring to the woman, There is wonderful old the feminine receiver. Yiddish proverb, which is petrol you use, the emptier you have espoused is any I am getting married in An exchange of rings also said to be an ancient your tank becomes. The less closed-minded than two months from now, and doesn’t create unity, just as Chinese proverb, and a more more food you eat the more fundamentalist religion. last night we had a meeting an exchange of seed for egg recent Indonesian proverb, you need to restock your You don’t want to force with the rabbi who will be would not produce a child. sometimes attributed to pantry. your ideals on your children. conducting the ceremony. Only when the groom gives Winston Churchill, Socrates But spiritual things in- But by denying them their Something came up which the ring and the bride receives or Dr Seuss: crease with use. If I use my spiritual heritage, you are I am quite uncomfortable it, then this singular act of “There are two things wisdom to teach, the stu- doing just that. They are with: the issue of only the his giving and her receiving you should never worry dent learns, and I come out missing the chance to explore groom giving the bride a produces oneness. Any about. One is something smarter for it. If I share my their Jewish identities during ring, and not vice versa. attempt to alter that process that you can’t help, because love with another, I become their formative years. They This essentially represents would be, quite literally, you can’t help it. The other more loving, not less. When I didn’t choose that, you did. to me that I am being counterproductive. is something you can help, give a spiritual gift, the recip- You have decided their purchased. The idea that We can’t play around with because you can help it.” ient gains, and I lose nothing. religion for them. They are there is a problem with the the facts of life. The spiritual Some matters are simply There is no better illustra- Lennonists whether they like bride also giving the groom life has facts too. May you out of your hands. Life and tion of this than a candle. it or not. a ring seems absurd to and your partner be blessed death, weather patterns and When you use one candle And if that song is your me. Surely I have as much with true oneness, and from parking availability are G-d’s to light another, the origi- bible, then they are being say in the agreement to be that oneness may many little domain, not yours. Worrying nal candle remains bright. brought up in a much more married as my husband-to- ones come. Page 16 • World of Lubavitch • APRIL 2017

In this issue we inter- Baruch Hashem these Jew- view Ron Shuster, coordi- ish men had a chance to nator of Chabad’s Mivt- perform the Mitzvah. zoyim project. AS. Tell us about the table presentation. What AS. What are Mivt- does it include and what zoyim? kind of handouts are RS. The Lubavitcher there? Do they ever run Rebbe invented a revolu- out of handouts? tionary concept called Mi- RS. We try to make the vtzoyim. It’s literal trans- table as approachable as lation means “campaigns”. possible. We have Shab- The Rebbe launched a num- bat candles, literature ber of Mitzvah campaigns about Kashrus, Shabbos, that can be practiced by Torah study, family purity any Jew regardless of their and Moshiach. We also commitment to observance. have a tzedakah box and With no introduction, one how the rest of the Jewish equipped with material for AS. Is it difficult to get nation can help in the war men, women and even non- volunteers? on Jewish holidays treats Jew approaches another are provided: honey cake, with a simple question. It effort; by putting on Tef- Jews. We have Shabbat RS. That is in fact the filin. And the first Mivtza candles, Tefillin, plenty of biggest challenge with this hamentashen, donuts, and goes something like this, whatever else is relevant. “Are you Jewish?” (answer was born. Since then mil- reading material. initiative. While most in lion have put on Teffilin AS. What is your the Chabad community feel On Succot we have a Suk- “yes”) “how would you kah mobile (on wheels) like to light Shabbos can- in every conceivable place personal connection to the responsibility to partici- and situation. Chabad? pate, people are occupied and a Lulav and Etrog so dles this Friday night? Here people can do two quick is a small gift containing AS. What is the pur- RS. My family’s con- on a Friday afternoon or pose of Mifzoyim? nection to Chabad started Sunday and trying to get Mitzvot, eat something in candles and matches and the Sukkah and Shake the the proper times to light RS. To illuminate the in- in the late 1940’s, when my them onboard is not always ner spark that all Jews have grandfather had a unique re- easy. However, many of the Lulav/Etrog. candles. Can I tell you a lit- AS. Who funds all tle bit about how powerful embedded in their souls. lationship with the Rebbe. new volunteers that stand it is for you and your family For some Jews this spark is With the Rebbe’s blessing, by the Tefillin booth appre- this? to light candles together on shining and flourishing and my grandfather regained ciate and value the great- RS. Thankfully we only Friday night?” for some it is dormant. Mi- his life more than a few ness of this opportunity and require a small budget and The Rebbe’s goal was vtzoyim ignites this spark times, my uncle had chil- in most cases continue to we collect funds from vari- that EVERY Jew can be an by allowing and assisting dren when top doctors in come week after week. ous community members inspiration to other Jews. Jews to perform a Mitzvah. Israel told him that he has AS. How many women AS. There must be Mivtzoyim in simple terms AS. Tell me about To- no chance to have kids and are needed to volunteer both positive and nega- means reaching out to Jews ronto’s Mitzoyim project. that’s only a few of many each day and how many tive reactions. Can you and introducing them to the RS. One of the revolu- Rebbe stories my family hours is a shift? share some of each with joy of doing an additional tionary ides of Mivtzoyim has experienced. I became RS. The weekly shifts us? mitzvah. is that every Jew rather than very close to Chabad dur- are one hour, however the RS. We have amazing AS. Do you know a rabbi can encourage and ing my early high school daily visits that I make are stories of people putting on when Mivtzoyim was inspire fellow Jews to deep- years. around 5-10min as we put Tefillin. One that comes to started and what the first en their connection to G-d. AS. How many hours on Tefillin and say Shema. my mind is an older couple campaign was? The Mivtzoyim projects do you personally spend AS. It is difficult to ap- that I tried to engage but RS. It was introduced are manned by lay men and coordinating these proach a stranger even to they were in a hurry go- shortly before the Six Day women, volunteers, of the events? ask “are you Jewish?” Is ing to their only son’s first War in 1967. There was a community. I, along with RS. We have a few loca- there training involved? yahrtzeit. The wife started perceived serious threat to some friends, coordinate tions in the city that we visit RS. Sometimes it could crying about the unfortu- the survival of Eretz Yis- these volunteers, arrang- on a weekly basis, such as be uncomfortable asking nate passing of her son, I roel and the world Jewish ing schedules, stations and shopping stores and high someone if he’s Jewish or then told her that the best community was in a panic. materials so that the proj- schools. In addition, I also if he put on Tefillin. How- gift she can give her son is The Rebbe introduced Mi- ect can run smoothly. One personally make daily (pre- ever, we find that Jews and for her husband to put on vtza Tefillin (the Teffilin of our favorite stations is in scheduled) visits to people even non-Jews don’t mind, Tefillin, thankfully she ac- front of Justin’s No Frills to put on Tefillin. I usually and even appreciate our ap- cepted the offer. That night campaign) as a form of proach. Often times we try protection. He quoted the on Centre St in Thornhill. do my daily Tefillin visits she had a dream of her son AS. The idea of Yeshiva either before 8:30 am or to make it fun and enter- talking to her; she ended up Torah verse “And all the taining. Another “tactic” nations of the world will boys asking Jewish men around 5 pm and these are purchasing a pair of Tefil- (usually on the streets of usually short visits. My we use is learning how to lin for her husband follow- see that the name of G-d is say “Hello, how are you” called upon you, and they the city) if they’ve donned Sundays are a bit busier be- ing her dream. tefillin yet that day is the cause I arrive in the store and “Thank G-d” in differ- will fear you.” The Talmud ent languages. This makes Another story that I can says that this refers to the original approach of Mi- early in the morning to set- vtzoyim. When did it get up and if there are shift can- people comfortable and think of is when I was lec- Teffilin. The Rebbe wanted therefore more approach- turing in an IT convention every soldier to don tefillin, transferred to a super- cellations, I usually go in to market? ensure we have a continu- able. in San Francisco and one especially before battle. He of the people in the audi- also suggested that this is RS. Our mivtzoyim pro- ous presence. If we run out AS. Are children ever gram is very heterogeneous, of material or candles I drop part of the process? ence approached me after we have booths in a number in to replenish them, so I’m RS. Absolutely, I al- the session asking me if of grocery stores, plazas, on standby every Sunday. I ways encourage parents to I’m a Lubavitcher. When restaurants, businesses, and try very hard to make my- bring their kids and often I said yes, he quickly re- at one point in time we also self available as we have a people have a difficult time sponded “so are you go- had a booth in Pearson In- few regular “clients” that saying no to children. My ing to offer to put Tefillin ternational Airport. We try come every Sunday to No preteen son comes with me on me?” “With pleasure,” to “catch” and attract all Frills just to put on Tefillin. every Sunday. I answered and we did. At Jews and therefore we try I also made it a habit to take AS. Which days are the same time, some peo- to be as diverse as possible my Tefillin with me -wher most ideal and why? ple do get offended, but as far as location and time ever I go, such as going to RS. We have official often after they realize that are concerned. the park with the kids, fam- days we go on Mivtzoyim we are sincerely trying to AS. What is your per- ily trips etc. Interestingly, but I always try to carry Te- help, many succumb to the sonal commitment to Mi- I recall once we went up fillin wherever I go. I was charm of the mitzvah. vtzoyim? north and I was hesitant to fortunate to put on Tefillin I encourage every RS. I, too, am a vol- take my Tefillin with me, on a pilot, US immigration member of the community unteer. I have an IT busi- I ended up taking it along officer in the airport, a per- and every Jew to partici- ness and coordinate the and Baruch Hashem met a son filling up gas at the gas pate in this campaign and Mivtzoyim project in my Jew who ended up using it station and the list goes on. Hashem should bless each free time. When we go on for the first time since his It wasn’t planned but the and every one of us with all Mivtzoyim we are well Bar Mitzvah. opportunity came up and blessings. World of Lubavitch • APRIL 2017 • Page 17 Shiurim & ClaSSeS at 770 Chabad Gate

 men  women  men/women Weekly Classes - summer sChedule

sunday

8:00 am ChassidiC ThoughT Rabbi gansbuRg 10:00 am PaRshaT hashavua Rabbi sChoCheT 10:00 am LikkuTei siChos Rabbi gansbuRg 11:15 am TaLmud (moed kaTan) Rabbi sPaLTeR 6:45 Pm ChassidiC disCouRses Rabbi gansbuRg 8:30 Pm shuLChan aRuCh Rabbi Chaikin

monday

11:30 am The Joy of Judaism Rabbi sPaLTeR 7:45 Pm The WeekLy ToRah RevieW Rabbi gansbuRg

tuesday

6:20 am Chassidus Rabbi a. WagneR 11:30 am ToRah sTudies - PaRsha Rabbi gansbuRg 8:00 Pm TaLmud (ChuLin) Rabbi sPaLTeR 8:30 Pm haLaCha (advanCed) Rabbi eLisha sChoCheT

wednesday

12:00 Pm The JeWish LeaRning insTiTuTe Rabbi gansbuRg 7:30-9:00 Pm The JeWish LeaRning insTiTuTe Rabbi gansbuRg 8:30 Pm TaLmud (PesoChim) advanCed Rabbi WiLheLm

thursday

6:20 am Chassidus Rabbi a. WagneR 12:00 Pm Tanya (hebReW) Rabbi gansbuRg 8:00 Pm in dePTh PaRsha sTudy Rabbi Z.a. gRossbaum 8:15-9:15 Pm TaLmud (baiTZa) Rabbi sPaLTeR 8:30 Pm LekuTei siChos Rabbi C.m. ZiRkind

shabbos

9:00 am Chassidus Rabbi gansbuRg 1 hR befoRe minCha PiRkei avoT Rabbi gansbuRg 1 hR befoRe minCha haLaCha Rabbi sPaLTeR daily classes

sun -Thu 9:00 Pm Rambam aLTeRnaTing mon -fRi 5:00 am ChassidiC ThoughT Rabbi yaRmush mon -fRi 6:30 am TaLmud Rabbi sChoCheT mon -fRi 7:10 am ChassidiC ThoughT Rabbi gansbuRg

mon - fRi 10am-12Pm koLLeL TifeRes Zekeinim Levi yiTZChok TaLmud, mishnah, haLaCha & Chumash - Rabbi Chaikin Page 18 • World of Lubavitch • APRIL 2017

Defeating the Soul of Evil My Plastic Pharoah Continued from page 2 self with which we are born, ated Myself,” to confront Pha- Continued from page 2 son is ultimately capable of also derives from G-d; indeed, raoh’s quintessence: the naked committing any act, should he it is a reflection of the divine “I” that stems from the very So I sat down and keyboarded out a letter, explaining regard it as crucial to himself “ego.” Because G-d knows “self” of G-d. everything, to the Guadalajara Rebbe. Then I fired it off to or to his self-defined vision of Himself as the only true exis- Moses did not fear the evil [email protected]. I stayed online awaiting reality. tence, we who were created in of Pharaoh. If G-d had sent my reply. In the meantime, I electronically paid the bills I was Ultimately, every good His image possess an intima- him, G-d would protect him. incurring by staying online so long in order to get a swift reply. My deed is an act of self-abnega- tion of His “sense of self” in But when G-d told him to little Pharaoh came in useful again. tion, and every evil deed is an the form of our own concept enter into the essence of Pha- Then it came. Verbatim, as follows: of the self as the core of all raoh, he was terrified. How “We are all prisoners. The act of existence is our crime. The act of self-deification. When universe is our prison. Our bodies and our personage is our cell. a person does a good deed— existence. can a human being behold It is not the ego that is The keys to liberation are held tight in the fists of our own egos.” whether it involves contribut- such a pure manifestation of Then a little note: “see Tanya, chapter 47. Also read Bringing ing a single coin to charity, or evil, but the divorcing of the the divine truth? A manifes- Heaven Down to Earth by Tzvi Freeman.” devoting an entire lifetime to ego from its source. When we tation so sublime that it tran- I meditated, I sipped licorice tea, I meditated some more, and I a G-dly cause—he is saying: recognize our own ego as a scends good and evil, and is got it. MasterCard is not Pharaoh. “I want” is not Pharaoh. Neither There is something greater reflection of G-d’s “ego” and equally the source of both? is “I should”. It’s not the want or the should, it’s the “I.” than myself to which I am make it subservient to His, it Said G-d to Moses: “Come I looked in Tanya, the classic Chassidic work by Rabbi Schneur committed. When a person vi- becomes the driving force in to Pharaoh.” Come with Me, Zalman of Liadi, chapter 47. There he says that when Gd gave us our efforts to make the world the Torah, He gave us Infinitude. We connect to Him with the Torah olates the divine will—wheth- and together we will enter the and we are free because we are then infinite and unbounded as er with a minor transgression, a better, more G-dly place. But great serpent’s palace. To- the same ego, severed from its He is. And he writes, “...and so there is nothing stopping anybody or with the most heinous of gether, we will penetrate the except for his own will, for if a person does not want...” crimes—he is saying: “My divine moorings, begets the self-worship that is the heart most monstrous of evils. Again, the same idea. We are all free. But our egos clutch river is my own, and I have of evil. Together, we will dis- tightly the keys. made myself.” Good is what This, explains cover that there is neither sub- How do I get my ego to let go of the keys? the Lubavitcher Rebbe, is is good to me, evil is what is stance nor reality to evil—that For philosophy you can go to an enlightened tzaddik somewhere the deeper significance of the contrary to my will; I am the all it is, is the misappropria- in Mexico. For practical, real-time liberation, I need The Rebbe. master of my reality. I am god. opening verses of the Parshah The Lubavitcher Rebbe. of Bo. When G-d commanded tion of the divine in man. This is the practical advice of the Rebbe, in a talk one Passover: The Soul of Evil Moses to “come to Pharaoh,” If this truth is too terrify- “Make a part of your life an act that takes you beyond your So, is the ego evil? Is this Moses had already been going ing for a human being to con- bounds, helping people that are not part of your family or circle fundamental component of to Pharaoh for many months. front on his own, come with of friends, doing something that does not fit within your own our soul an alien implant that But he had been dealing with Me, and I will guide you. I self-definition. Invite someone to your seder who you’re not so will take you into the inner- comfortable with. At first, it may not feel so good. But you have must be uprooted and discard- Pharaoh in his various mani- set yourself free.” ed in our quest for goodness festations: Pharaoh the pagan, most chamber of Pharaoh’s So, again this year, I come to my seder. I leave my own little and truth? Pharaoh the oppressor of Is- soul, until you come face to world of my own puny self and I walk through the door into In the final analysis, it is rael, Pharaoh the self-styled face with evil’s most zealous- something infinite, timeless and eternal, because it is bound with not. For the cardinal law of god. Now he was being told ly guarded secret: that it does an infinite, timeless and eternal Gd. I am no longer part of me. I am reality is that “there is none to enter into the essence of not, in truth, exist. part of us and part of His Torah and therefore part of Him. else besides Him” (Deuter- Pharaoh, into the soul of evil. When you learn this se- And to prove it, I say, “Let all those who are needy come and onomy 4:35)—that nothing is join our seder. No matter who.” Now he was being told to cret, no evil will ever defeat I have broken free. This year, we should all break free. Not contrary to, or even separate penetrate beyond the evil of you. When you learn this se- just at the seder, but for every moment of our lives. Forever. from, the Creator and Source Pharaoh, beyond the mega- cret, you and your people will This year in Jerusalem. of all. The ego, the sense of ego that insists, “I have cre- be free. In Conversation With Géza Röhrig, Lead Actor of Son of Saul Continued from page 20 or how you go about things, there You mention “davening” a for happiness as a goal—that’s he became an energetic leader would rather make you want to is a plurality and there’s a fan- number of times. How did you a guarantee for failure. Because inspiring us to look forward in- disassociate with Jewish iden- tastically rich and colorful way integrate prayer into your life? we were put here on this earth to stead of falling into the crisis, which is what happened to so tity because of all these negative of thinking in the Talmud. Rav When I first started to daven, serve. And joy, simcha, comes A doesn’t agree with Rav B and I was slow because Hebrew was from avodah [service]. many people who were haunted memories. by the Shoah. Growing up in an atheistic they are still respectful to each all new to me, and the people Do you feel that being an other. And even the opinions around me were doing Shemone observant Jew informed the I often had an inclination to dictatorship I didn’t have the op- be depressed, to sink into despair tion to open the envelope, so to that are not followed are written Esrei [the Amidah] in five min- way you played your role in the and preserved and still learned utes. I had a huge struggle with film? during the shooting. It was dark. speak, to get my heritage. But These were the times when I I was certain that I would not because there is a value of a re- the Shema Koleinu blessing be- Absolutely. It’s hard to say spectful disagreement and dif- cause I understood that this is specifically how, but I hope that found myself relying on the Reb- throw it away without knowing be’s example. That reallyhelped what it was. ferent views. I found that super where you relate to Hashem with twenty years of Torah study has attractive. your own requests, and there was affected me. It wasn’t like dur- me come out of it. Your father passed away But your question still begs when you were just a small child. How did you come to a lot I needed to ask for others. ing the shooting of the movie I Chabad? So I learned to daven faster. suddenly thought of a concrete an answer. I lost him when I was four concept. It doesn’t work that Yes, but I don’t have it. Ilu years old, so obviously there was I was interested in Chasidut But the real issue was, what but the yeshiva in Har Nof, Je- should my focus be? And I real- way. But it’s in the person I have yedativ, heyitiv. “If I would un- an emptiness, a lack of some- become during the years. In the derstand Him, I would be Him.” thing that was driving me. I felt rusalem that I attended did not ized that davening is not about offer Chasidut, so my rosh ye- begging. You daven because you everyday choices I make. It’s in And that satisfies? like I was nobody’s son. It’s im- the fabric of my being. I’m not trying to say that it’s portant to have footsteps in front shiva, Rabbi Baruch Horowitz, are, because you woke up; you of blessed memory, suggested see, you move. It’s about grate- The movie is difficult to ok with me, G-d forbid. Never, of you, even if you want to go the watch. It is extremely intense no. But we have to know our other way. If you have your fa- that Chabad might be the right fulness and wonder about the fit for me. In 1991 I arrived in complexity and the drama of the for the viewer. With the camera place. In this world of space ther’s footsteps at least you know on your face filling almost every and time we simply can’t under- where the other way is. I real- New York where Rabbi Yechez- universe. Of course when you are kel Lebovic and his wife, Pearl, in trouble you scream, but only frame in that hellish setting, how stand and we can’t accept. I was ized that I could not even make did you keep your sanity during with the late Elie Wiesel a few an intelligent decision about if I offered me the chance to learn then. That’s not what davening in Yeshivah Tiferet Bachurim in is for. the filming? weeks before he passed away. wanted to be Jewish or not until I It was taxing. In the dark- He struggled with this question knew what it is. So I went straight Morristown, New Jersey. Do you believe that people I had a bris. I got into the “change?” est moments—remember, I was as so many others. I wish I had a from Poland to Jerusalem. playing a Sonderkommando magical argument to take all the Was it difficult for you, an mishna class and started the rou- I don’t think people should tine like everybody else, except I really change. Can we become whose job it was to escort thou- doubts out of people’s minds. accomplished poet, a writer, sands of people day after day to But you? You are not para- and a musician, to embrace was learning stuff that generally more G-dly? Sure, but we don’t Chabad children learn at age five, the gas chambers and then to burn lyzed by it. yiddishkeit? have to jump out of our skin for I’m not. six. But I advanced pretty well. their bodies in the crematori- As a teenager, I had reserva- that. The spark, the pintele yid is um—I often thought, “Dear G-d, Why? tions about institutional religion. My commitment was strong. in our neshama from the get-go. where were you? How could you I only can speak of where I never really liked hierarchy. Then I began to study Cha- We just need to connect and let allow this to happen? Why were I’m at. It’s unimaginable for me I felt like they tried to box you sidut which was new to me. I was it happen. you so deaf to the cries and the to stop being who we are and in, they wouldn’t be apprecia- thirsty to learn. I had a mash- Is that a guarantee for hap- prayers of all the yidden here?” to finish ourselves off as Jews. tive of having your own opinion pia ruchanit, (spiritual mentor), piness? It’s a question that paralyzes There’s this paradox—on the one or approach. And I felt that my Rabbi Dovid Vichnin, of blessed To say “be Jewish and you your faith. So I’d remind myself hand it’s clear that it’s really im- background, my soul, my story, memory. He had an academic will be happy” is to sell Juda- of the living example we had in possible to come to terms with should be dignified because we background, having studied at ism cheaply and I would never the Lubavitcher Rebbe who saw what happened. On the other are all different for a reason. Yale, so I think he really under- do that. I believe that you have the destruction. His brother Dov hand, let’s not forget that against Then it turned out that yes, stood where we were all coming to find something in your life for Ber, perished at the hands of the the odds we are still here. Not Judaism is pretty strict when it from. He gave me time every which you are willing to give up Nazis so he knew, in the most only are we here, but yiddishkeit comes to practicing, but when it day, to ask questions and discuss your happiness. Only then will personal way, what Jews went is alive. So this is exactly where comes to what beliefs you hold whatever was on my mind. you be happy. We don’t look through in those years. And yet I want to be. World of Lubavitch • APRIL 2017 • Page 19

BOOK REVIEW Anger and Love Don’t Mix

By Family Therapist A woman feels want a happy relationship, Rabbi Avrohom Kass, M.A., “loved” when her husband keep anger out of your home. R.S.W., R.M.F.T. prioritizes her, seeks to spend Fortunately, this tragedy New Edition of Psalms: time with her, is sensitive to caused by anger expressions Some people think that her feelings, is upbeat and is preventable. Here are three arguments between husbands protects her. When a woman tips to help you remain calm A Beautiful Bridge and wives are a reasonable feels loved, she will naturally at all times: and even a necessary part of dedicate herself to her hus- 1. Never blame any- marriage. This is not true. band’s wellbeing. one else for your anger. You between Supplication The goal should be to never A man feels “respect- choose how you respond to express anger, bicker or have ed” when his wife seeks his any given situation. You can an argument. Some couples opinion, is attentive to his choose to be calm. and Study have achieved this ideal. 2. Know yourself well By Menachem Posner However, if you and your enough to that you can iden- The sacred words of Te- spouse have not, it should be tify when you are angry. hillim (Psalms) have always your goal. Everyone is different. Some Anger has many faces. recognize that their mind been a primary means by It can be expressed as: yell- fills with negative thoughts which the tears, hopes, fears ing, criticism, sarcasm, silent whereas others feel body ten- and aspirations of the Jewish rejection, revenge or cruelty. sion. There are many other people ascend to the Heaven- Often anger is expressed in a signs that anger is brewing. ly Throne. Indeed, no single concealed way to avoid de- Know yourself! book of Scripture has been tection. Regardless, the re- 3. When you recognize borrowed from so freely by cipient of the anger attacks anger “taking over,” quickly the architects of the daily is hurt and the relationship take action to prevent it from prayer service. And no vol- injured. getting to the point where it is ume is reached for so readily As we try to avoid sick- needs, agrees with him when expressed. Find ways that al- in times of trouble. ness, we should try to avoid possible, offers praise for low you to stay calm such as Yet scholars since the expressions of anger. How- what he does and seeks ways going for a walk, listening to time of the Talmudists also ever, like illness, when it to take care of him. When a music, not talking or distract- have seen it as a text to be comes we deal with it un- man feels loved, he will natu- ing yourself. studied. Careful analysis derstanding it is part of life. rally work hard to make his If anger, as an unwanted, of its Hebrew prose reveals So too anger, should it come wife happy. guest occasionally appears, great insights into its au- thor (King David), Jewish in spite of one’s best efforts When each individual quickly show it the way out. tice,” sprinkled throughout to avoid it, we should ac- contributes to his or her part- Make your home a special tradition and the Divine. It was not accidental, accord- the book. Drawing from the knowledge it and move on. ner’s well-being, a stable place filled with positive corpus of Jewish literature, A healthy person can easily and happy relationship will feelings. ing to the sages of the Mi- drash, that Moses wrote it features Jewish laws and survive the flue, but a weak develop naturally. However, Our sages of old consider customs that the sages have person cannot. The same is anger will drive a wedge be- anger a great sin and compare five books of the Torah, and David composed five extracted by way of careful true for your relationship. If tween you and your partner, it to idol-worship. When an- analysis of the texts. Like the it is strong, it will endure the making these positive feel- gry, a person forgets that G-d books of Psalms. The worlds of prayer other commentaries, each en- occasional mistake by you ings impossible. is behind everything that hap- try is meticulously sourced or your spouse, even though A person cannot feel lov- pens. An angry person will and intensive study have long been seen as parallel and footnoted. your goal is to be anger-free. ing toward the person “at- lie, embarrass others, hurt The work is the product Successful marriages are tacking” them with anger. Of others and even hate. Anger but distinct forms of Divine service. That gap has been of a team of scholars led by built with “love” and “re- the two, anger is stronger and can lead to many sins. Rabbi Yosef Marcus, and spect.” The balance between will push away all positive Reject anger and protect bridged by a newly released edition of Tehillim: Book of sponsored by Howard and “love” and “respect,” are feelings. Anger will fill the your relationship with those Claire Glowinsky of Toronto. different for each gender. A home with hostility and mis- you care about and at the Psalms from Kehot Publica- tions Society. The coffee-ta- Aesthetically, it is a com- woman needs to feel mostly trust, and family members same time preserve your re- panion of Marcus’s previous she is “loved,” whereas a will prefer to be anywhere lationship with the Almighty. ble-sized tome features large offerings—the highly ac- man needs to feel that he is other than home. Anger is and clear Hebrew print with claimed Pirkei Avot: Ethics “respected.” love’s poison. Simply, if you ===== an eminently readable Eng- of the Fathers (Kehot, 2009) Rabbi Avrohom, M.A., lish translation. and Haggadah (Kehot, 2011). R.S.W., R.M.F.T., a is a reg- What makes the book The silver-edged pages sport istered Social Worker, regis- stand out is the masterful col- original artwork by Yanky tered Marriage and Family lection of commentaries from Gitlin, and a medley of black Therapist, certified Hypno- a variety of classic and more text with green rubrication therapist and award winning obscure sources, many of and miniature icons signify educator. He has a clinical which have never before ap- the nature of the various practice working with indi- peared in English. commentaries. An extensive viduals, couples, and families The timeless words of the appendix includes a compre- in Toronto, Canada. Abe is Midrash and the philosopher hensive index, as well as bib- the publisher of Wisdom Sci- and scribe Ibn Ezra can be liography of the hundreds of entific self-help educational found alongside the insights scholars and texts cited in the programs. He is a member of of the Kabbalists and Chas- commentary. the Ontario College of Social sidic masters. True to the supplica- Workers, the Ontario and The translation is also a tory nature of the Psalms, American Associations for commentary of sorts, care- the edition is clearly marked Marriage and Family Ther- fully rendering King David’s for those who wish to use it apy, and the National Board sometimes cryptic words into to recite the daily portion of for Certified Clinical -Hyp readable English. Occasion- Psalms, either following the notherapists. These mem- ally, additional words in- weekly or monthly track. berships are a guarantee of spired by the commentaries’ This outstanding offer- Abe’s professional training understanding of the verses ing, which is sure to take and high ethical standards. are interpolated into the text its rightful place as a major For more information or to in a smaller type. contribution to the Jewish arrange an appointment he library, is available at Jew- 905-731-7000 ext. 231 can be reached at (905) 771- Another unique fea- ish bookstores and at Kehot. 1087 or www.AbeKass.com. ture is the “Psalms in Prac- com. Page 20 • World of Lubavitch • APRIL 2017

level, and their job was to move on, and I wanted to spend more know how to daven in Hebrew the dead from the gas chambers time there. So I went to the clos- yet. But there I was, a freezing to the crematoria. So what kind est apartment building asking question mark, a pulsing wound. of a response can one have to people if there was a room to rent And I felt answered. I felt heard. this? and they said, “Here? Are you I wasn’t just in pain. I was in a He couldn’t save the living. kidding? Who wants to come dialogue. He couldn’t even bury the dead. here?” Soon I realized that the only So he decides to disregard the But I rented a room for a answer to this place is to be one situation. There are very few month. And I went back to the of them whom the Nazis didn’t things that are, for us as human lager every day. want to survive. I wanted to look beings, simply not negotiable: What did you do there ev- like, think like, and be like most to feed the hungry, to clothe the ery day? Jews who were murdered here. In Conversation With naked, and to bury the dead. He I davened. It wasn’t the usu- I might have expected it couldn’t give the boy his bread al davening [praying]. I didn’t Continued on page 18 because he was dead. It was as if Géza Röhrig, Lead Ac- he was saying, “The only thing I can do for you is to bury you, to 1940... arrange a kaddish for you.” This Rabbi Joseph Isaac Schneerson, o.b.m., came to tor of Son of Saul one mitzvah became his connec- America, to bring the light of Torah and warmth of tion to sanity. Mitzvas to a spiritual wasteland. I have been with the chevra In Conversation With Géza the Budapest Ghetto’s liberation. kadisha [Jewish burial society] Then $54.00 was considered Röhrig, Lead Actor of Son of It was published in Germany too for many years, doing tahara and Saul and it received some awards. My shmira [washing and guarding a worthy donation. by Baila Olidort other books are about anything the body of the deceased and pre- His son-in-law Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson DECEMBER 29, 2016 and everything that falls under paring it for burial in accordance became the seventh leader of Chabad and Geza Rohrig is an Hungar- the human experience. I write for with Jewish law]. So I really con- 1950.. encouraged his disciples to serve as Torah ian poet and actor who garnered ordinary people—I don’t want to nected to the script. ambassadors throughout the world. During international attention for the write coded poetry that only the What made you get in- ..1994 those 44 years, more than 1500 Lubavitch lead role he played in the 2015 sophisticated can decipher. The volved with tahara? Centres were established throughout the film Son of Saul. The film won the film has now brought more atten- It began when I was a teen- Grand Prix at the 2015 Cannes tion to my poems, so I really can- world, serviced by some five thousand ager in Hungary when someone Shluchim (Emissaries) who have dedicated Film Festival, the Golden Globe not complain about the number from the minyan called me. They for Best Foreign Language Film of my readers. needed a third person. I now do their lives to help enhance the quality and the Academy Award for Best In the movie Son of Saul, it at least two times a week. It’s of Jewish life. Foreign Language Film. I re- you play a Sonderkommando transformative, in a way more Then too $54.00 was considered cently met the 49-year-old teach- who becomes obsessed with giv- than an average davening, which er and father of four sporting ing a dead boy a ritual Jewish can become a bit mechanical at a worthy donation. a yarmulka and an untrimmed burial. This is a very dark, de- times. Every tahara is different beard in his Bronx home. Rafi pressing film. What was it about and so personal. I think if we Today, the Shluchim, Chassidim and (his Hebrew name) introduced this script that appealed to you? want to keep the right balance 2017... supporters of Chabad Lubavitch are me to his twin two-year olds, Zu- The idea that there is some- between humility and self es- indebted to the Rebbe for his uncon- sha and Zelda. thing more important than sur- teem, death should never leave ditional love towards every Jew, his our mind entirely. monumental endeavours on behalf As a teenager, you started an Indeed of Klal Yisroel and for having had underground punk band called the opportunity to share in the HuckRebelly, and you were ex- 3 Times fulfillment of his vision. We pelled from high school because pledge to rededicate ourselves of your anti-communist activity. Did you have any religious affili- Chai Can to his teachings and continue ation as you were growing up? his sacred work with renewed Not really. My grandpa was Make a enthusiasm and vitality. May the first person who took me to a we soon witness the rewards Rosh Hashanah service. It was a of these efforts with the im- terrible experience. I was 14, and Difference! minent arrival of Mashiach. the rabbi said that Hitler’s plan Please make your cheque was to kill every last Jew on the payable to: Today too $54.00 face of the earth, so we shouldn’t CHABAD LUBAVITCH is considered a be here. It’s by G-d’s grace that and send to: we are here. 770 Chabad Gate worthy donation. Then he said that now that Thornhill, Ont. L4J 3V9 we are here we have to earn our You may wish to call 905-731-7000 right to live. I thought of my non- and contribute via your Visa card Jewish classmates and wondered, Why do I have to earn it? Be- Should you wish to sell cause my family members were your Chometz for the Round, Hand Baked murdered so I have to earn my duration of Pesach, right to live? please complete the form Matzoh Shmurah Who are your twins named vival. Everyone wanted to es- How about if G-d needs to below & mail it at once to: for? cape, to break out of the hell they earn my grandpa’s faith after all CHABAD LUBAVITCH Zusha is for Reb Zusha of were in, which is legitimate. But Available at $29.00 per lb. this? I was not interested in going 770 Chabad Gate, at Chabad Lubavitch Anipoli. I cherish his stories. it’s an animalistic move. If the to shul for a good while at all. Thornhill, Ontario L4J 3V9 Zelda is for Zelda Schneer- house is burning, even the cat What changed? so that it reaches us no later Community Centre son, the poet. will jump from the window. I was in Poland studying for than Friday, April 7, 2017. You just returned from a Saul goes a level higher than my masters in philosophy. It was visit to Krakow, Poland where that. He says, “Survival is not 1987, still during communism. I you delivered the closing ad- all there is. There must be some- had planned to go to Auschwitz Certificate Authorizing the Sale of Chometz dress at the Conrad Festival, thing more than survival.” I think but I put it off until the end of which, as I understand, is one that’s a very Jewish belief. my year there because I knew it Delegation of Power of Attorney of Europe’s most prestigious What he attempts to do in would be intense. I went there This is to certify that I, the undersigned, fully empower and permit any of literary/art events. What was those circumstances is altogether the Rabbi’s under the administration of Chabad Lubavitch of Ontario, to act knowing exactly which barrack I in my place and stead and on my behalf to sell all Chometz possessed by your message to the audience? irrational. would go to: Barrack 13 in Sec- me (knowingly or unknowingly) as defined by the Torah and Rabbinic Law, It is hard to sum up a half- It is. But everything that the tion E. I knew where my family including chometz, doubt of chometz and all forms of chometz mixture. In hour speech. I spoke about free- Sonderkommandos were forced was, and I just wanted to see it. addition, chometz that tends to harden and adhere to the inside surface of dom. You need tremendous dis- to do was irrational. Jews were But instead of being upset I pans, pots or any usable cooking utensil are to be considered as above. I cipline to be free. Freedom is being murdered on an industrial felt some sort of a healing going hereby delegate authorization to lease all places wherein the chometz may the ethos of bearing responsibil- be found by me, especially in the premises located at: ity. There could be nobody freer than two lovers, correct? But ______and elsewhere. love comes with commitment. The said Rabbi has the full right to sell and lease by transaction, as he deems fit and proper and for such time which he believes necessary in Freedom is not a right; it’s our accordance with all detailed terms and detailed forms as explained in the most fundamental duty. Without general authorization contract which the said Rabbi will use to detail the it, everything loses meaning. In sale of Chometz. short, the soul of the law is free- This General authorization is made a part of this agreement. Also do I dom, the body of freedom is the hereby give the said Rabbi full power and authority to appoint a substitute law. Where there is no freedom, in his stead with full power to sell and to lease as provided herein. The there is no real order. And where above given power is in conformity with all Torah, Rabbinical regulations there’s no order, there’s no real and laws and also in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario freedom. and the Confederation of Canada. And to this I hereby affix my signature on this ______day You are well published in of______in the year 2017. Hungary with eight books to your name. What is your po- etry about? Who are you read- Name______Signature ______ers? My first collection of poetry, Address______Cremationbook, was published in BEST WISHES FOR A KOSHER & ENJOYABLE PESACH 1995, on the 50th anniversary of Géza Röhrig in Son of Saul