DOCSLIB.ORG

The Mitteler Rebbe

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Mitteler Rebbe Basi L’Gani YOMAN, SHEVAT 5712 Each and Every Jew KSAV YAD KODESH What is being a Chossid about? DARKEI HACHASSIDUS Very Much Alive FARBRENGEN ECIAL - SP - EIS SH OF-B EVAT CH $5.95 SHEVAT 5778 ISSUE 65 (142) ב"ה SHEVAT 5778 DerherContents ISSUE 65 (142) A Chassidisher Derher Magazine is a publication geared toward bochurim, published and copyrighted by Vaad Talmidei Hatmimim Haolomi. All articles in this publication are original content by the staff of A Chassidisher Derher. Vaad Talmidei Hatmimim Rabbi Tzvi Altein Publisher Rabbi Yossi Kamman Very much Alive Editor in Chief Rabbi Mendel Jacobs והחי יתן אל לבו 4 DVAR MALCHUS Editors והחי יתן Chof-Beis אל לבוSpecial Basi L’Gani SpecialShevat Chof-Beis section Rabbi Sholom Laine 6 LEBEN MITTEN REBBEN - Shevat section Rabbi Eliezer Zalmanov SHEVAT 5712 A Chossid’s Rabbi Moshe Zaklikovsky Each and Every Jew 19 Approach Advisory Committee Rabbi Mendel Alperowitz 11 KSAV YAD KODESH Histalkus A Chossid’s of Rabbi Dovid Olidort 21 Approach The Mitteler Rebbe 22 the Rebbetzin Design TIMELINE 12 Horaos Histalkus and ofPeulos Rabbi Mendy Weg Maamarim 3824 ofthe the Rebbetzin Rebbe Printed by The Print House 14 8 FACTS Horaos and Peulos Rebbetzin Chaya Photo Credits For Another 40Mushka of the Rebbe- a Jewish Educational Media DARKEI HACHASSIDUS 42 16 BiographicalRebbetzin Chaya Sketch Library of Agudas Chassidei Chabad A Watery Lesson 44 Mushka – a Kehot Publication Society Kfar Chabad Magazine 59 A CHASSIDISHER MAISE Biographical Tchayenu magazine “Time was Wasted” Sketch Tzach archives DER REBBE VET GEFINEN A VEG 62 Vaad Hanochos B’Lahak Yechidus Klolis Special Thanks to 64 MOMENTS Rabbi Chaim Shaul Brook Derher Letters Rabbi Mendel Gourarie 72 Rabbi Shmuel Lubecki Rabbi Mendel Feller About the Cover: Rabbi Shlomo Friedman A parade of Mitzva Tanks make their way down Fifth Avenue Rabbi Yosef Boruch Friedman in New York City. Parades such as these were often held on Yud Shevat, honoring the Rebbe’s nesius. Rabbi Michoel Seligson Rabbi Elkanah Shmotkin Photo: Tzach Archives. Reproduction of any portion of this magazine is not permissible without express permission from the copyright holders, unless for the use of brief quotations in reviews and similar venues. A Chassidisher Derher is honored to feature unique and historic photos from Jewish Educational Media’s Living Submit your questions and comments: Archive photo collection. The Living Archive is a project to preserve, and provide access to the video, audio, and (718) 305 6859, [email protected] photographic recordings of the Rebbe. These photos are copyright by JEM and are available at TheLivingArchive.org To subscribe, order a copy, or access back issues visit us at www.Derher.org נא לשמור על קדושת הגליון. DerherEditorial “...On every yahrtzeit, there is an elevation for the neshama of the departed, and also for those who had a connection with that neshama… But when it comes to the daughter of the [Frierdiker] Rebbe, this elevation is all the more evident: She was the daughter of a nasi hador, and therefore, in addition to her own zechus, she also carries the zechus of her father—the one who raised and educated her, and the one with whom she shares a special connection. It is the nasi hador’s charge to spiritually uplift the entire generation (the word ‘nasi’ also comes from the word ‘hisnasus’—uplifted). His daughter as well, especially on her yahrtzeit, brings about an elevation to all the people of her generation. This is especially so, since her yahrtzeit, on Chof-Beis Shevat, occurs in the same month as the yahrtzeit of her father, on Yud Shevat…” (Sefer Hasichos 5752 vol. 2, p. 344.) In addition to the connection that the Rebbe points out, there is another special connection the Rebbetzin shares with Yud Shevat: Chassidim relate that the Rebbetzin played a pivotal role in the Rebbe’s acceptance of the nesius on Yud Shevat (see Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka, A Biographical Sketch in this magazine, page 44). Marking these two special dates, Yud and Chof-Beis Shevat, we present this month’s edition of the Derher magazine. Marking 30 years since the Rebbetzin’s histalkus, we’ve dedicated an entire section to the story of her incredible life, her histalkus, and the Rebbe’s conduct thereafter. Some of this material was collected from our previously published magazines, but much of it is new for this year. We trust that these stories and anecdotes will inspire greater interest in the special significance of the day. Most importantly, we hope that it will serve as a reminder to live up to her children are alive (as the Rebbe asserts), and ”,זרעה בחיים“ our charge of .she too is alive ”,אף היא בחיים“ we can therefore be assured that The Editors ט״ו טבת ה׳תשע״ז VERY MUCH ALIVE In honor of Yud Shevat, Jem The past thirty-two years have and relevant for our times. has released a brand new been rich with change. The world The proof is, this very gathering! farbrengen, Yud Shevat around us has progressed by leaps and The explanation is simple: bounds. While some of the progress Life is defined by growth. There 5742, fully restored and has been positive and other parts are trees in the United States that have subtitled for the first time. negative, the world is undeniably existed since the time of Mattan Torah, The following is based on different; it is a place starkly unlike the and yet, they continue to produce the first two sichos of that world we knew thirty-two years ago. fruit and leaves, and continue to grow This being said, our gathering taller. That is because they are alive. farbrengen. tonight is quite unusual. Many tens The very fact that people continue of Jews—all defined as a “Wise and to participate—with growing numbers understanding nation”—have gathered each year—is testament to the fact to commemorate the passing of the that the Frierdiker Rebbe is alive, Frierdiker Rebbe, which took place thriving, and becoming more and a full thirty-two years ago. It is quite more relevant each passing day. surprising that so many people, Saying that the Frierdiker Rebbe from so many different walks of life, is alive—and that we live on as his should gather to commemorate this children—brings us to another point: day. Isn’t it old and irrelevant? No human being can be “half- The answer is: No. alive.” A body where the mind In fact, it is quite current lives but the heart doesn’t function SHEVAT 5778 4 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER PHOTO: JEM/THE LIVING ARCHIVE / 104489 PHOTO: לזכות החייל בצבאות ה׳ מנחם מענדל שיחי׳ לרגל ה׳אפשערעניש׳ שלו ב׳ כסלו ה׳תשע״ח נדפס ע״י הרה״ת ר׳ מתתיהו וזוגתו מרת נחמה גאלדע שי' דעוולין cannot be called “alive.” For a mind Every person has his main your avoda be considered complete. or heart to properly function, every responsibilities as a Jew, where he The same applies to any part of the body must do its part. invests the majority of his time and “side-job” that you might have: Even the toenails! effort. However, to be alive, he must It might only be a toenail, but a The toenails are the lowest and ensure that this life reaches every toenail too, must function. most unattached part of our bodies; element of his being, including By ensuring that we serve Hashem they can be cut off without us feeling what seems unimportant, and not in this complete manner, taking care any pain or loss (just like hair). only his main responsibilities. of all factions of our avoda—including They seem to be inconsequential. To be specific: extending our influence to the nations Yet, when a baby is born, we look If you come into contact with around us as well—we can be sure at the nails to see if the newborn non-Jews, even if only occasionally, that the world around us will be is fully developed. That is because, and not as a central part of your life, illuminated. Even before the coming by definition, life envelopes every you must utilize the opportunity to of Moshiach, in these last moments part of our being, no matter how teach them about their mitzvos— of galus, we will see the fulfillment ולכל בני ישראל הי‘ אור :minute and unimportant. For the the Sheva Mitzvos Bnei Noach. of the words for all the Jewish people—במושבותם ”body to be complete, each part, each It may not be the “heart and mind element of our bodies, must achieve of your avoda; it may seem like a there was light in their dwellings. its own unique potential, no matter small, insignificant point, but it is how small or inconsequential. nevertheless important. It isn’t your This teaches us an important focus, but it is a critical element of lesson in our avodas Hashem: your life as a Jew, and only then can SHEVAT 5778 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 5 לזכרון הרבנית הצדקנית מרת חי' מושקא נ"ע זי"ע לעבן מיט'ן רבי'ן בקשר עם יום ההילולא כ"ב שבט נדפס ע"י הרה"ת ר' אברהם יוסף ומרת סימא רבקה ומשפחתם שיחיו יפה מנשסתר, אנגלי' YUD-TES KISLEV 5712 YUD-TES Basi L’Gani SHEVAT 5712 he following account of the happenings in STUDYING THE MAAMAR TBeis Chayeinu during the month of Shevat Shabbos Parshas Bo, 6 Shevat 5712 occurred only two years after the Frierdiker Reb Moshe Levertov: Rebbe’s histalkus, and a year after the Rebbe’s A few days before Shabbos, the Rebbe instructed kabbalas hanesius.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Shlomo Aharon Kazarnovsky 1
    HaRav HaChossid Rabbi Sholmo Aharon Kazarnovsky Memento From the Wedding of Yankele & Frumie Eidelman 10th Day of Tammuz 5781 ב״ה We thankfully acknowledge* the kindness that Hashem has granted us. Due to His great kindness, we merited the merit of the marriage of our children, the groom Yankele and his bride, Frumie. Our thanks and our blessings are extended to the members of our family, our friends, and our associates who came from near and far to join our celebration and bless our children with the blessing of Mazal Tov, that they should be granted lives of good fortune in both material and spiritual matters. As a heartfelt expression of our gratitude to all those participating in our celebration — based on the practice of the Rebbe Rayatz at the wedding of the Rebbe and Rebbetzin of giving out a teshurah — we would like to offer our special gift: a compilation about the great-grandfather of the bride, HaRav .Karzarnovsky ע״ה HaChossid Reb Shlomo Aharon May Hashem who is Good bless you and all the members of Anash, together with all our brethren, the Jewish people, with abundant blessings in both material and spiritual matters, including the greatest blessing, that we proceed from this celebration, “crowned with eternal joy,” to the ultimate celebration, the revelation of Moshiach. May we continue to share in each other’s simchas, and may we go from this simcha to the Ultimate Simcha, the revelation of Moshiach Tzidkeinu, at which time we will once again have the zechus to hear “Torah Chadashah” from the Rebbe.
    [Show full text]
  • 18 Korach Email Draft
    ה“ב ע ר ש “ ק פ ר ש ת ק ר ח “כ, ב ס י ו ן , ת ש ע א“ VOLUME 1, ISSUE 18 INSIDE THIS A Visit to the Ohel - Rostov 5685 I S S U E : As Gimmel Tammuz approaches, we found it Leben Miten Rebben 1 The Rebbe handed me a packet of Panim and appropriate to quote the following section from the memoirs instructed that I only place them on the Ohel of Horav Yisroel Jacobson . It was in the year 5685 without reading them at all beforehand. Whereas Serpa Pinto 2 (1925), shortly after the rise of the Communist regime in his own personal Pan , I was to read only once and Russia when the Frierdiker Rebbe appointed him as his only upon reaching the Ohel, no earlier. I was personal Shliach to visit the Ohel of the Rebbe Rashab in Niggun — 3 absolutely forbidden to show it to anyone else or Alter Rebbe’s Niggunim Rostov on his Yahrtzei, Beis Nissan. From the words of the Frierdiker Rebbe in that Yechidus, we learn much about the to copy it down; no exceptions! (When I did read Biography - 3 significance of a Chossid visiting the Rebbe's Ohel, in it's it, I noticed that in the first section he requested Reb Berke Chein – 5 being not merely a stop at Kivrei Tzadikim (Chas Brochos for himself personally as a Rebbe, and Q&A - 4 V'Sholom), but an actual Yechidus with the Rebbe. (In the later as a leader of world Jewry, he mentioned and Learning Gemara following excerpt, "the Rebbe" refers to the Frierdiker articulated many of the problems encountering the Rebbe).
    [Show full text]
  • Weekly Sponsors
    Weekly Sponsors Chayenu depends on–and is made possible through–the generous contributions of individuals & families, whose continued support facilitates the worldwide daily Torah-study through Chayenu. Weekly sponsors feature prominently on the back cover page, during the week of their particular dedication, and are listed here for one full year, thereafter. To join our growing family of supporters/partners and have the merit of thousands of Jews' Torah-study for an entire week (or for other sponsorship opportunities) visit www.chayenu.org/dedicate Note: Many of these dedications are continued from last year, and will become available this coming year. Please check with us, if you are interested in a particular week. לעילוי נשמת האשה החשובה רוחמה חי׳ פרומא ע”ה בת – יבדלח"ט – ר’ דוב פנחס שי‘ ולזכות משפחתה לאריכות ימים ושנים טובות מרדכי, אפרים, עדינה, משה, נעמי, אהרון, יהודה לייב ביסטריצקי בראשית In loving memory of Ruchama Chaya Fruma Bas R’ Dov Pinchas In honor of her loving family for long and healthy years Morty (Marcus), Ephraim, Adina, Moshe, Naomi, Aharon, Yehuda Leib Bistritzky In Loving Memory Of Our Parents לעילוי נשמות הרב החסיד והתמים אסתר בת ר‘ יוחנן ע“ה גאלדמאן ר‘ שמעון ע“ה נפטרה י”ז תשרי בן ר‘ שמואל זאנוויל הי“ד Esther Goldman A“H גאלדמאן Her open home, open heart, and unique blend of wit and wisdom נפטר כ“ט תשרי impacted all who met her. נח R’ Shimon ר‘ יצחק יעקב בן ר‘ משה ע“ה סיימאן Goldman A“H נפטר ד‘ אדר א‘ R’ Yitzchok Yaakov (Jerry) His family’s sole survivor of the Simon A“H Holocaust who overcame the odds His joy was infectious, his food and raised a family of Chassidim.
    [Show full text]
  • RABBI COHEN - Mishmor Joins International Chidon
    בס“ד FORMER CHIEF RABBI VISIT On his recent visit to Melbourne, Rabbi Shlomo Amar (former Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Israel) The Rabbinical College of Australia & NZ Newsletter visited the Rabbinical College. Arriving just before the conclusion of Friday’s study session, he addressed the student body. The Shluchim presented Rabbi Amar with a collection of Chidushei Torah thoughts published Forty years at the helm by Yeshivah-Gedolah over the course of the current Kinusim at YG year. Lag B’Omer with YG RABBI COHEN - Mishmor joins International Chidon 5774—2014 GROUP PHOTO YG Shabbaton FORTY YEARS AT THE HELM Former Chief Rabbi Visit 4 Menachem‐Av this year marks 40 years since Rabbi students. They come not only from Melbourne and Binyomin Cohen arrived in Melbourne to serve as Sydney, but from all around the world. Annual Photo Rosh Yeshivah of the Rabbinical College of Australia Rabbi Cohen is known far and wide as a ‘no nonsense’ and New Zealand. Rosh Yeshivah by whose schedule one can set a clock. Born and raised in London, Rabbi Cohen entered “My adherence to me is a natural thing for me, and Gateshead Yeshivah rather than university aer gives me a sense of order and stability,” he says. Shluchim and students of Yeshiva compleng his secondary schooling. While at Gedolah recently produced a His adherence to order has made its mark in the unique Ha- Gateshead, he studied some of the Lubavitcher gadah Shel Rebbe’s early Sichos (talks) and became aracted to internaonal Yeshivah world. According to the college’s Pesach enti- Lubavitch.
    [Show full text]
  • View Sample of This Item
    Praise for Turning Judaism Outward “Wonderfully written as well as intensely thought provoking, Turning Judaism Outward is the most in-depth treatment of the life of the Rebbe ever written. !e author has managed to successfully reconstruct the history of one of the most important Jewish religious leaders of the 20th century, whose life has up to now been shrouded in mystery. A compassionate, engaging biography, this magni"cent work will open up many new avenues of research.” —Dana Evan Kaplan, author, Contemporary American Judaism: Transformation and Renewal; editor, !e Cambridge Companion to American Judaism “In contrast to other recent biographies of the Rebbe, Chaim Miller has availed himself of all the relevant textual sources and archival docu- ments to recount the details of one of the more fascinating religious leaders of the twentieth century. !rough the voice of the author, even the most seemingly trivial aspect of the Rebbe’s life is teeming with interest.... I am con"dent that readers of Miller’s book will derive great pleasure and receive much knowledge from this splendid and compel- ling portrait of the Rebbe.” —Elliot R. Wolfson, Abraham Lieberman Professor of Hebrew and Judaic Studies, New York University “Only truly great biographers have been able to accomplish what Chaim Miller has with this book... I am awed by his work, and am now even more awed than ever before by the Rebbe’s personality and prodi- gious accomplishments.” —Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb, Executive Vice President Emeritus, Orthodox Union; Editor-in-Chief, Koren-Steinsaltz Talmud “A fascinating account of the life and legacy of a spiritual master.
    [Show full text]
  • Divine Image,Prospectives on Noahide Laws
    Divine Image Divine Image View All Divine Image Book Insights into the Noahide Laws Through the light of Torah and Chabad philosophy Adapted by Rabbi Yakov Dovid Cohen Copyright © 2006 by Rabbi Yakov Dovid Cohen All Rights Reserved ISBN 1-4243-1000-8 978-1-4243-1000-5 Published by The Institute of Noahide Code www.Noahide.org Printed in the United States of America In English En Español En français En français En français 한국어 中文 اﻟﺬات اﻹﻟﻬﻴﺔ INTRODUCTION Every person is created with a Divine image. It is the task of every one of us to elevate all human activity to a Divine purpose. In short, this means being able to connect every human activity with G-d – and this is precisely the purpose of the Torah and its commandments, called mitzvoth in Hebrew. Every human being has the unique ability to connect his entire being with the Creator. Upon achieving this task, he creates a dwelling place for G-d in this world, thereby fulfilling the purpose of creation. As is explained in this book, the worlds of the spiritual and the physical are not in conflict. Their ultimate purpose is that they be fused together with the physical being permeated by the spiritual. The core element of every mitzvah – commandment performance is to take the physical creation and utilize it for a Divine purpose. Thereby a wonderful harmony achieving both in the individual and in the world at large. This is a theme that encompasses all times and places; wherever and whenever a person operates, he is able to utilize the task at hand for its correct and Divine purpose, thus transforming one’s daily life activities into a dwelling place for G-d.
    [Show full text]
  • 722 Beis Moshiach 14/12/2009 5:48 AM Page 3
    722_Beis Moshiach 14/12/2009 5:48 AM Page 3 contents AN END AND A BEGINNING 4 D’var Malchus THE POWER OF THE BOOK 6 Thought | Rabbi Zvi Homnick WRITING FOR PERPETUITY 10 Insight THE REBBE, OUR FATHER 15 Shlichus | Rabbi Yaakov Shmuelevitz CHASSIDISHE CHINUCH IN SOVIET 18 USA RUSSIA 744 Eastern Parkway Memoirs | Prepared for publication by Avrohom Rainitz Brooklyn, NY 11213-3409 Tel: (718) 778-8000 Fax: (718) 778-0800 IT’S ALL ABOUT LIGHT [email protected] 24 www.beismoshiach.org Chanuka | Dr. Aryeh Gotfryd EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: M.M. Hendel ENGLISH EDITOR: MOSHIACH: WHAT WE BELIEVE Boruch Merkur HEBREW EDITOR: 25 Moshiach & Geula | Rabbi Gershon Avtzon Rabbi Sholom Yaakov Chazan [email protected] THE PEOPLE OF THE BOOK 28 Feature | Menachem Ziegelboim Beis Moshiach (USPS 012-542) ISSN 1082- 0272 is published weekly, except Jewish holidays (only once in April and October) for $160.00 in Crown Heights, Brooklyn and in all other places for $180.00 per year (45 BUILDING BRIDGES TO THE issues), by Beis Moshiach, 744 Eastern 36 REDEMPTION Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11213-3409. Periodicals postage paid at Brooklyn, NY and Profile | Nosson Avrohom additional offices. Postmaster: send address changes to Beis Moshiach 744 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11213-3409. Copyright 2009 by Beis Moshiach, Inc. Beis Moshiach is not responsible for the content of the advertisements. 722_Beis Moshiach 13/12/2009 9:15 PM Page 4 d’var malchus Mikeitz, which focuses on the release of Yosef from prison. AN END AND Yosef serves as an analogy for the entire Jewish people.
    [Show full text]
  • 685 Beis Moshiach
    685:Beis Moshiach 23/02/2009 8:22 AM Page 3 contents THE ETERNAL INTERNAL SANCTUARY 4 D’var Malchus THE REBBE WAS THINKING OF US IN 6 WAR-TORN WARSAW Stories for 9 Adar ENTERING THE HOLY OF HOLIES 14 Insight PURIM 1953: THE RISE AND FALL OF A 18 MODERN DAY HAMAN Memoirs | Avrohom Reinitz USA TORAH STUDY IN A WAY OF ‘HE 744 Eastern Parkway Brooklyn, NY 11213-3409 24 DOESN’T KNOW’ Tel: (718) 778-8000 Moshiach & Geula | Boruch Merkur Fax: (718) 778-0800 [email protected] www.beismoshiach.org A PURIM PROJECT IN DISGUISE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: 26 Feature | Libby M.M. Hendel ENGLISH EDITOR: Boruch Merkur [email protected] AND THEY JOURNEYED AND THEY ASSISTANT EDITOR: 30 ENCAMPED Dr. Aryeh Gotfryd Memoirs | Rabbi Shneur Zalman Chanin HEBREW EDITOR: Rabbi Sholom Yaakov Chazan [email protected] A STONE CRIES OUT 36 Purim Story | Nosson Avrohom Beis Moshiach (USPS 012-542) ISSN 1082- 0272 is published weekly, except Jewish holidays (only once in April and October) for $160.00 in Crown Heights, Brooklyn and in all other places for $180.00 per year (45 SHIR CHADASH – THE NEW SONG issues), by Beis Moshiach, 744 Eastern 39 Moshiach Light Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11213-3409. Periodicals postage paid at Brooklyn, NY and additional offices. Postmaster: send address changes to Beis Moshiach 744 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11213-3409. Copyright 2009 by Beis Moshiach, Inc. Beis Moshiach is not responsible for the content of the advertisements. 685:Beis Moshiach 23/02/2009 8:22 AM Page 4 d’var malchus THE ETERNAL INTERNAL SANCTUARY Translated and adapted by Dovid Yisroel Ber Kaufmann will dwell in them.” The Sages The commandment “Make for Me a explain the use of the plural pronoun as a reference to the Jewish people: Sanctuary” applies to every individual.
    [Show full text]
  • Baruch Hashem! Luach for Week of Vayeitzei Chabad NP
    Baruch Hashem! Luach for Week of Vayeitzei www.chabadnp.com Chabad NP - ​ 11-18 Kislev 5781 / November 27-December 4 Friday, 11 Kislev ● Candle Lighting Light Candles at 4:34 PM. ● Kabbalat Shabbat - (P. 154) ● Kiddush on p. 179 ● Chabad NP Dates Yartzheit of Victoria Dubinsky mother of Vadim Dubinsky 12 Kislev - Shabbat Vayeitzei Torah Reading Toldot: Genesis 28:10-32:3 ​ ​ Haftorah: Hosea 11:7-12:14 ​ ​ ● Kiddush for Shabbat day on p. 249. ● Shabbat Ends at 5:34 PM ​ ● Havdalah on p. 297 ​ ● Chabad NP Dates Yartzheit of Monir Azizian-Tehrani mother of Jilla Lavian-Ehsanipour ​ ● Today in Jewish History Passing of R. Shlomo Luria (1573) R. Shlomo Luria, known by his acronym Maharshal, was an eminent scholar ​ in sixteenth-century Poland. He headed a yeshiva in Brisk and Lublin and wrote many works, including Yam Shel Shlomo and Chachmas Shlomo. An independent thinker, he did not hesitate to criticize his colleagues when he felt they had erred in their method of Talmudic study and halachic analysis. At the same time, he was an extremely humble person and was the teacher of many great Torah scholars of his generation. It is related that one night, R. Shlomo sat down to study to the light of a small candle. Miraculously, the candle did not extinguish, allowing R. Shlomo to continue his studies for many hours (Shem Hagedolim). Sunday, 13 Kislev ● Today in Jewish History Talmud completed (475 CE) ​ In the first decades of the 5th century, Rav Ashi (d. 427) and Ravina I (d. ​ ​ 421) led a group of the Amoraim (Talmudic sages) in the massive undertaking of compiling the Babylonian Talmud -- collecting and editing the discussions, debates and rulings of hundreds of scholars and sages which had taken place in the more than 200 years since the compilation of the Mishnah by Rabbi Judah HaNassi in 189.
    [Show full text]
  • Torah Online - Rabbi Tuvia Bolton
    Torah Online - Rabbi Tuvia Bolton This week's section explains how the Land of Israel was to be divided among the twelve tribes: 1) The largest tribe got the largest area. 2) The "Urim and Tumim" in the Breastplate of the Cohen Gadol miraculously decided. 3) Lots were drawn, arbitrarily matching each tribe with an area. This doesn't seem to make sense. If the land is allocated according to population, what was the point of consulting the Urim and Tumim, or casting lots? Even more importantly; what has all this got to do with us today? We don't even have a holiday celebrating the day we entered Israel. I want to answer with a story. A very successful businessman, a Chabad Chassid by the name of Rabbi Chaim Gutnick who lived in Sydney Australia, was invited by the small Jewish community of "Adalide" to serve as their Cantor for the High Holy Days. Rabbi Gutnick refused on the spot. True, he had a pleasant voice, but he also had four small children at home, and no desire to travel so far (several hour's flight), no need for the money, and no intention of becoming a Rabbi or a Cantor. "They have a few months, let them find someone else." He thought to himself. Two weeks later he was surprised to see in his mailbox a letter from the Lubavitcher Rebbe, addressed to him. "What could this be?" he said to himself as he put on his jacket and opened the letter with trepidation.” The Rebbe wrote that he was disappointed to hear that Rabbi Gutnick refused the Adalide community.
    [Show full text]
  • Ben Gurion University of the Negev
    Ben Gurion University of the Negev Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Department of Hebrew Thought The Role of Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, the Sixth Admor of Lubavitch, in the Creation of Modern Habad in the USA 1930‐1950 Thesis submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts by Roland Julian Mureinik Under the Supervision of Prof Jonatan Meir October 2018 Dedicated with love to Inez, without whose support, patience and understanding this thesis would not have been completed My grateful thanks to Professor Jonatan Meir, who introduced me to the fascinating world of Hasidism and Habad. Contents Introduction and Historical Background .............................................................................1 Biography of R Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn ...................................................................2 Bringing the Sixth Admor to live in the USA ...................................................................5 Historical Development of American Jewry ....................................................................6 Chapter 1: R Yosef Yitzchak’s efforts to manage Habad from afar .....................................9 1.1 Initial Attempts to Organize (1920-1930) .............................................................. 10 1.2 The Impact of Rayatz’ Visit (1929-1930) ............................................................... 17 Chapter 2: Consolidation and Expansion of American Habad under Rayatz .................. 26 2.1 Ideology and Leadership ......................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Perspectives Issue #15 (12.22
    FOREWORD An Inner Resolve IN ONE SECTION OF HIS MEMOIRS of Lubavitch, after writing at length about the importance of regular tevilah for purity, the eminent tomim and senior Lubavitcher rov Reb Shmaryahu Sassonkin concludes: “Despite the fact that tevilah was very much valued, still people in Lubavitch never told anyone to toivel, for it was something that depended on one’s personal feeling. Some felt the need for daily tevilah – and since the mikvah was not far from the zal and was always open, it didn’t take much time; some toiveled on Mondays and Thursdays when the Torah is read. But everyone toiveled on Erev Shabbos and on Shabbos for the holiness of Shabbos.” WHAT WAS INDEED THE PROBLEM with speaking about tevilah? If they didn’t want to burden the students, couldn’t they make it voluntary? But why not encourage it at least to some extent? In Tomchei Temimim of Lubavitch, the leading quality around which all farbrengens revolved was pnimiyus, inner resolve, and the ridding of chitzoniyus, external motivation. They didn’t only disdain doing mitzvos for ulterior motives or displaying a hiddur for others to admire – for such a person is simply serving himself – but even worthy conduct aimed towards becoming a “good chossid” was considered chitzoniyus, since it In Tomchei Temimim didn’t rise from a genuine appreciation for that practice. of Lubavitch, the In our generation, many such practices have been standardized. And justifiably so: The bochurim in Lubavitch who were continuously leading quality engaged in thorough avoda knew where they stood and they climbed steadily.
    [Show full text]