ב׳׳ה THE SIBLING
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Wow, Tishrei is already over! We’ve had the serious days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur before moving into the joyful days of Sukkos - and now we are at the start of the month of Cheshvan, and it’s time to get back into routine.
On Yud Zayin Cheshvan, the mabul waters started falling, purifying the world of all the tumah that was there. As we know, water is a siman bracha. Especially the waters of the mabul - they had the power to take away all the tumah and refresh the world to be holy again for Hashem. No Ordinary Clock In the month of Cheshvan, we daven that all the tefillos we davened with such kavanah throughout the month of There once was a great rabbi named Rabbi Yisachar Dov Tishrei should shower down into our lives, into actuality. Ber of Radoshitz. He used to travel a lot and teach simple We daven that the brachos should be brought down in a Yidden all about yiddishkeit. Whenever he traveled he stayed in small, roadside inns overnight. physical sense in a way of revealed goodness.
On one of his stays, the first thing he did in the morning Tishrei is the month where we sow the harvest. In was look for the owner of the inn. Cheshvan we daven for the results.
“Hello, Rabbi,” the owner greeted him courteously. “How As we go forward into the years of 5780, we daven are you enjoying your stay here?” that Hashem only bless us and remove all hardship from before us, and that it will be this year that the waterfall of “Oh, you have a wonderful hotel,” said Rabbi Yisachar Dov Ber. “But please tell me,” he asked urgently, “about the clock blessings will flow forward to no end - and we will greet that’s hanging in my room. Where is it from?” Moshiach Tzidkeinu, bekarov mamash! Rochel and the sibclix team (Continued on page 2)
THE SIBLING WAVE LENGTH | Cheshvan 5780 1 (Continued from page 1)
The hotel owner was surprised. “It’s It passed through the hands of he mark time?” he asked curiously. quite an ordinary clock, Rabbi. It’s different owners until it came to “A regular clock,” the Rabbi like every other clock in the hotel. the hotel and was hung up in one explained, “strikes such a mournful There are hundreds like it hanging of the bedrooms. tone. ‘Another hour of your life has in homes throughout the country.” “Of course!” exclaimed the Rabbi passed you by,’ it says. ‘You are He shrugged his shoulders. when he heard the clock’s history. now one hour closer to the end “No, no,” insisted the Rabbi. “I’m “This clock could only have of your life.’ It makes people feel telling you, this specific clock is belonged to the pressured, sad. But this clock no ordinary clock. You must find announces joyfully: ‘Another hour out for me where this clock comes “This clock could of exile has gone by. You are now from.” only have belonged one hour closer to the coming of Moshiach and the Redemption.’ If only to humor his guest, the to the ‘Seer of This makes people feel happy and hotel owner made some inquiries sure that Moshiach will come any to find out where this clock Lublin.’ Only the minute!” came from. After asking many Seer’s clock could different people, he found out mark time in such The Rabbi smiled at the hotel that this clock once belonged to owner. “All through the night,” a holy Rabbi named Rabbi Yaakov a manner!” he confided in him, “whenever Yitzchak Horowitz. He was known this clock chimed on the hour, as the “Chozeh (Seer) of Lublin.” I jumped up from my bed and ‘Seer of Lublin.’ Only the Seer’s The clock was passed down from danced for joy.” clock could mark time in such a generation to generation until one manner!” of the grandsons became very poor and was forced to sell all his The hotel owner raised his possessions—including the clock. eyebrows in confusion. “How did
Last month’s “Think About It” question was:
For years, Yidden have sacrificed so much for Yiddishkeit, undergoing terrible times just to stay true to Hashem and His Think About It! Torah. Baruch Hashem, we’re very lucky to live in times when we What’s a way you can make are free to serve Hashem! Can you think of something extra to people other people around do, going out of your comfort zone, to bring Moshiach faster? you feel happy and sure that Moshiach will come any minute? Hi! I’m Levi and I’m 9 years old. I’m My name is Chana. I’m 6 years old. Email your response to rocheld@ going to say some lines of Perek I’m going to make sure to say Birchas yaldei.com and you will be entered into a raffle for a $25 gift card to the Lamed Beis of Tanya by heart on Hashachar every morning before store of your choice! my way to school to bring Moshiach eating breakfast. faster.
2 THE SIBLING WAVE LENGTH | Cheshvan 5780 LET’S FIND OUT ABOUT... CHARGE SYNDROME
Hi there! My name is Raizy and I’m 11 years old. I’m one of the youngest in my family, with only a 10 year old brother younger than me. Since I have three older sisters, they take care of all the shopping, cooking and general helping around the house. And that’s a good thing - because I wouldn’t be able to help too much. That’s because I have a condition called Charge Syndrome. What is Charge Syndrome, you’re probably wondering, right? Let me tell you a bit about it. I was born with vision problems, as well as breathing problems. From a very young age, I was learning how to read in Braille and constantly going for eye tests. Baruch Hashem, thanks to that, I am now able to learn in school along with my classmates, using special Braille textbooks. Since it takes me longer to understand what’s going on in class, because not always do I have a Braille textbook for that specific subject, or the teacher is saying something that is not included in my textbook, my parents hired someone to sit next to me to explain anything I can’t understand. It’s hard for me to sit for so many hours during school and my teachers are very understanding. They let me take breaks whenever I feel the need. I usually roam around the hallways or take a nap in the library - they have the most comfortable cushioned chairs there!
I don’t have so many friends, except for one girl in my class who’s very nice and chats with me during recess. Sometimes, when it’s sunny outside, we take walks together around the large school playground. Most of the girls don’t pay too much attention to me, though. I’m short, my eyes look funny behind my thick glasses, and I’m not smart enough to understand their games. But my sisters are amazing and they are constantly taking me out to fun places, bowling, restaurants, parks - you name it, we’ve been there! There is no cure Charge Syndrome, although I am constantly growing in my physical and intellectual abilities since my parents make sure to send me the most professional therapists out there. I’m always counting my blessings. So if you see me on the street, don’t be afraid. I’m a person just like you, I have feelings just like you. If you see me, feel free to wave and smile. I’ll wave and smile right back at you!
THE SIBLING WAVE LENGTH | Cheshvan 5780 3 חשון ...special days in
Rebbe Rashab’s Birthday The Rebbe Rashab was born in Lubavitch in the year 5621.
.The Rebbe held a farbrengen on this day almost every year חשון On one of the years when the Rebbe farbrenged, the Rebbe spoke strongly about the mivtza of neshek, lighting Shabbos candles. Another כ' year the Rebbe emphasized on the point of thinking about the Rebbe Rashab, wherever in the world you may be, and connecting to him. The Rebbe Rashab was married to Rebbetzin Shterna Sara. He also founded the Yeshiva of Tomchei Temimim.
Court Rules on Sefarim חשון The New York Court gave the final ruling after the appeal for the sefarim that were stolen from the Frierdiker’s Rebbe library. They said that the כ׳׳ה sefarim belong to Lubavitch and must be returned to the Rebbe. The Rebbe and the Chassidim rejoiced!
J Words of Wisdom J
The Hayom Yom of 24 Cheshvan says: In gashmiyus things, a person should look at people who have less than him and thank Hashem for what he has. We should always be grateful for all the material things we have and feel that is enough for us - because that is precisely what Hashem has given us! In matters of ruchniyus, however, one must always look at a person who is more learned than he is and ask Hashem to help him reach such a high level. We can never stop growing be’ruchniyus, there is always more to learn and better middos to attain.
4 THE SIBLING WAVE LENGTH | Cheshvan 5780 Leah Langman’s Diary CHAPTER 3
Recap: Leah’s closest friend Chana reveals that she is moving She shook her head. “I miss being with Tatty and Mommy all to Australia. Despite being very upset, Leah tries her best to the time.” keep an upbeat attitude. I didn’t say anything, just gave her a hug, because what could Friday, 3 Cheshvan I say to that? The poor kid. Dear Diary And then - you won’t believe it. Hashem gave us Langman I know it’s already close to Shabbos and I still children a special present. A really special one. need to shower but I just needed to sit down After Tatty came back from taking Avi to his physical therapy and write some stuff out. Writing really session, he and Mommy gathered us all together in the kitchen. helps, you know? And I didn’t have “Anyone hungry for supper?” he asked. Of course we all much time to write during Tishrei nodded, it was almost six o’clock and we were getting pretty because it was so busy here. hungry. So Tishrei was beautiful. Beautiful and “Who is in the mood of going out for pizza?” Mommy sang out busy. I lost track of how many meals and we all cheered, surprised. Since when do we go out to eat we hosted, how many times we baked on a regular weeknight? challos, how many chairs we stacked in the Sukkah - you get the idea, yeah? But we did, and it was so fun. Avi sat with us and we tried to Non-stop work. make him feel a part as best as we could by including him in our conversations and taking turns feeding him small pieces But it was also fun. The first night in of his olive pizza. He was thrilled, smiling his big warm smile the Sukkah was so packed, I thought that melts our hearts. we’d have to move some people into our house because there was hardly any room! After pizza, just when we thought the night couldn’t get any Baruch Hashem, so many people joined better, we went bowling. It was so much fun - and especially together to celebrate. And Simchas Torah when I drew a tie with Tatty! I never knew he was such a good was so lively, the men didn’t stop dancing till bowler. past midnight! The shul was buzzing. We all came back on such a high, Chezky and Riki especially. And now - now it’s all over and it’s back to school. They couldn’t stop saying how much fun they’d had. And Avi’s back to his never-ending appointments. Later, once the younger kids were all sleeping and I was He didn’t have so many throughout Tishrei and busy just getting a drink of water before heading to bed myself, I as it was, I think I got to see Mommy and Tatty more overheard Tatty tell Mommy, “Tonight was so great. We should than during our regular weekday schedule. Because, make it a priority to do more often.” sure, we were hosting and entertaining and davening, but we were doing all that together. Now one of them “I’m with you on that one million percent,” Mommy said and disappears for close to two hours twice a week with Avi I could hear the smile in her voice. “We never spend time like and when they come back, there’s usually some event or that with the kids when we’re at home, it’s just too hectic. This shiur happening over at the Chabad House. outing really gave us a time to disconnect from everything else and let us focus just on them.” Riki told me the same. My baby four year old sister came up to me this morning with a brush before leaving to I almost did a little jig right there in the kitchen. My parents school. “Can you make my hair?” she asked and I said, are so special and so devoted to us! We’re lucky kids. “Sure.” And then while I was braiding her hair, she said in Thank You, Hashem! this kind of wistful voice, “I wish it was still Tishrei.” TO BE CONTINUED... “You miss all the fun of the Yomim Tovim?” I smiled.
THE SIBLING WAVE LENGTH | Cheshvan 5780 5 LIFE LESSONS
Outside the door of the Tzemach Tzedek’s study stood his little grandson, a boy of four or five years old, who would grow up to be the Rebbe Rashab. He was waiting for yechidus to receive a blessing in honor of his birthday, Chof Cheshvan (the twentieth day of Cheshvan). As the door opened and the little boy walked in, he burst into tears. The Tzemach Tzedek lovingly calmed his grandson and asked him, “Why are you crying, my child?” Trying to muffle his sobs, the boy confided in the Rebbe. “Zeide,” he cried, “I just learned in cheder that Hashem appeared to Avraham Avinu. Why doesn’t He appear to us, too?” Gentle, wise eyes gazed deeply into the child and comforted his burdened little heart. “My dear grandson,” explained the Tzemach Tzedek, “When a ninety-nine year old Yid, a tzaddik, decides to circumcise himself, then he deserves to have HaShem appear to him.” Children often burst into tears when they do not get what they want. But are those things really worth crying about? We can see from this story what a Jewish child should insist upon, and what could bring him to the point of tears. Every Jew has a neshamah which is part of HaShem. Because of that neshamah, a Jew, and especially a Jewish child, wants to actually see holiness, not only to be told about it. The Rashab’s example teaches every child to desire and ask for this. This is especially true today when there are so many signs that Mashiach is coming soon. When the geulah comes, we will be able to see HaShem’s holiness all around us. Just like the Rebbe Rashab cried for something he really wanted, we should cry out to HaShem and insist that He bring the geulah now. When we cry out and demand the geulah, we may have tears in our eyes, but these are not tears of sorrow or sadness. We are crying in determination, because we want it very much. But we have a happy feeling in our hearts, because we know that it is coming very soon.
Hachlatah of the month: What is something extra you can take upon yourself to help bring Moshiach now?
6 THE SIBLING WAVE LENGTH | Cheshvan 5780 Sibling Spotlight
What is your name and how old are you? Levi and I’m 12. What school d you go to? Cheder at the Ohel What is your favorite part of school? When my teacher is in a good mood. What is your favorite food? Hot dogs!! If you could visit one place in the world, where would you go? Eretz Yisroel What would you like to be when you grow up? I didn’t decide yet. What’s your favorite part about living in Crown Heights? That I’m so close to 770. What is your special siblings name and how old is he? Moshe, he is 10. Can you tell us a bit about Moshe? Moshe is a quadruple amputee, but that doesn’t stop him from anything! He’s funny and loud and just like any other (annoying haha) little brother! What is one thing you have learned from Moshe? Yagati Umatzi Tamin- If you try, you will succeed. How do you help Moshe? I help him get ready in the morning, and push his wheelchair. I’m his big brother and I’m always there for him when he needs me! What do you want to tell the world about Moshe? He works really hard and nothing can stop him! Want to be featured in a future issue? Email [email protected] for the chance to be featured!
THE SIBLING WAVE LENGTH | Cheshvan 5780 7 FUN PAGE RECIPE CORNER
Brrrrrr…. It’s getting cold outside! These words are frozen in the ice drops. Do you think you can unscramble them to see what they spell out? Good luck!
Homemade Granola
CIY DIWN TENRIW INGREDIENT S 3 cups oats ½ cup oil ¾ cup brown sugar 3 tablespoons honey 1 teaspoon cinnamon DOLC LARN WOSN 1 teaspoon vanilla ½ cup chocolate chips (optional)
INST RUCTIONS Pour oatmeal into a glass microwaveable dish and cook for two minutes; taking it out once to stir in THO the middle. SELOVG FSCRA OOACC Combine all other ingredients into another bowl and mix well. Stir in the oats and mix until well-blended. Pour mixture into a glass dish and place in microwave on high for 4 minutes (or until golden brown). ATH Stir once every minute Let cool and serve :) Enjoy!
Don’t forget! If you send in a picture of your recipe,
you will be entered into a raffle for a $25 gift card!
Yaldei Shluchei HaRebbe Rochel Danow Merkos Suite 302 SibClix Coordinator 353 Kingston Avenue, Suite 302 [email protected] Brooklyn, NY 11213 www.yaldei.com
8 THE SIBLING WAVE LENGTH | Cheshvan 5780