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A TRUE PERSONAL REDEMPTION  [CONT.] D’var Malchus | Likkutei Sichos, Vol. 31, pg. 23-27

WHEN WE HEARD ABOUT THE  HISTALKUS Yud Shvat | Dafna Chaim

‘SHLITA’ – WHAT’S THE QUESTION?  Moshiach & Geula | Rabbi Zalman Hertzel

ONCE A POLICEMAN, NOW A SHLIACH  Shlichus | Nosson Avraham

USA THE REBBE IS IN CHARGE 744 Eastern Parkway Story | Avrohom Reinitz Brooklyn, NY 11213-3409  Tel: (718) 778-8000 Fax: (718) 778-0800 [email protected] www.beismoshiach.org THE UNVANQUISHED Feature | Avrohom Reinitz EDITOR-IN-CHIEF:  M.M. Hendel ENGLISH EDITOR: Boruch Merkur ‘YECHI’ REVEALS MOSHIACH AS ‘WE [email protected] HEBREW EDITOR:  HAVE SEEN’ SANCTIFIES THE MOON Rabbi Sholom Yaakov Chazan Moshiach & Geula | Rabbi Sholom Dovber HaLevi Wolpo [email protected]

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and the acquiring of knowledge of the Divine name Havaya. The latter provides us with greater insight as to why the Torah A TRUE describes here at length about the Patriarchs: “I appeared to Avrohom, etc., with [the name] Keil Sha-dai, but My name Havaya, I did not make known to them.” This verse PERSONAL underscores the fact that – notwithstanding the great virtue of the Patriarchs’ service, as our Sages, of blessed memory, say,17 “The Patriarchs – they are the [Divine] REDEMPTION: Chariot” – this still does not comprise the state of “redemption.” Rather, it is specifically [the generation of] the exodus from Egypt that is connected with the ATTAINING knowledge of “My name Havaya” (which was not known to the Patriarchs18). Thus, Scripture enumerates each of the Patriarchs individually (not WHAT IS employing the concise phrase, “to your Fathers,” or the like), and distinguishes each of them with the word “to (el),” to further emphasize the virtue of their service. BEYOND OUR That is to say that the fact that they are the “Patriarchs” of the Jewish people does not express the unique quality of each of the Patriarchs individually, but only what REACH is common to them. Moreover, the fact that they are the “Patriarchs” of Likkutei Sichos, Vol. 31, pg. 23-27 the Jewish people is something that Translated by Boruch Merkur comes from Above (for the Holy One Blessed Be He granted them this merit – that they became the Fathers [Continued from last issue.] of the Jewish people19 – as reward for their devotion). 3. In light of the above it is understood that, in saying, Specifying Avrohom, Yitzchok, and Yaakov “I appeared to Avrohom, etc,” the Holy One Blessed Be individually draws attention to the unique quality of each He is conveying to Moshe the foundation and the of the Patriarchs (as is known,20 the principle service of primary significance of the exodus from Egypt. Namely, Avrohom was the approach of benevolence, the service of that the essential quality of this exodus is (not the Yitzchok was “avoda (prayer),” and Yaakov – Torah physical redemption but) a spiritual redemption from study). Nevertheless, since they did not experience the the state of subjugation to Egypt to freedom and the 16 revelation of nor did they possess knowledge of the service of G-d (as the verse says, “When you take the “name Havaya” – “My name Havaya, I did not make people out of Egypt, you will worship the L-rd on this known to them” – they did not attain the state of mountain,” indicating that the purpose of the exodus (complete) redemption. from Egypt is the service of G-d expressed in receiving 4. The explanation of the matter: the Torah and its Commandments). In fact, the ultimate “Egypt (Mitzrayim)” means “boundaries and borders purpose of this spiritual redemption is the revelation of

 1ES>Q #'1 +-1&' !& revelation of the name Havaya, the The concept of the “exodus from very essence of the Holy One Blessed Be He, as He transcends worldly Egypt” is the departure from limitations. On account of the intensity of this revelation, the person boundaries and limitations, also as is nullified out of his existence, raising him beyond his boundaries they exist within the realm of holiness, and limitations, even beyond the so that the person is “at the level of “limitations (Mitzrayim)” of the realm of holiness. utter self-nullification…not being (The Patriarchs, on the other hand, to whom “My name Havaya, I conscious of his self at all.” did not make known to them,” did not experience the “exodus from Egypt,” the (complete) departure (meitzarim u’g’vulim).21 [Limitations permeate all from boundaries and limitations.) aspects of human experience, including experiences [To be continued be”H.] within the realm of holiness.] The significance of the fact NOTES: that there is also Mitzrayim [i.e., the concept of boundaries or limitations] in the realm of holiness22 is 16 Shmos 3:12. See Rashi there. that since man is a finite, created being, even when he 17 B’Reishis Rabba 47:6, 82:6; Raaya Mehemna Pinchas serves G-d with all his abilities, he still has not surpassed (257b). See Tanya Ch. 23 (28b); Ch. 34, beg. his boundaries and limitations (even if he is constantly devoted to [concerns pertaining to] the world of 18 See Footnote 14. holiness). 19 See Tanya Ch. 18. The concept of the “exodus from Egypt” is the departure from boundaries and limitations, also as they 20 Zohar Parshas VaYeitzei, beg. exist within the realm of holiness, so that the person is “at 21 Torah Ohr Parshas Yisro 71c, among several other places. the level of utter self-nullification…not being conscious of his self at all.”23 Such nullification of self is not within 22 See Torah Ohr Parshas Shmos (49d ff.); VaEira (57b ff.); the capacity of man to accomplish with his own ability Yisro ibid, among several other places. (in accordance with the principle that “one who is bound 23 Wording of Torah Ohr Parshas VaEira ibid (56a). cannot free himself, etc.”24). Rather, it comes about by the revelation of G-d from Above. More specifically, the 24 Brachos 5b, where it is elucidated.

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#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  VRAPPES>Q WHEN WE HEARD ABOUT THE HISTALKUS

By Dafna Chaim The three Karasik sisters were close to the hub of Chabad activities in Eretz Yisroel when the Rebbe Rayatz passed away. They remember those days when the Chassidim tried to persuade the

Rebbe to accept the nesius of the young women. Since their father’s seventh generation. * An interview with house was the center of Chabad activities, they were privy to the Rebbetzin Devorah Ashkenazi, Mrs. goings-on at the time of the passing of the Rebbe Rayatz on Yud Shvat Tema Gurary, and Mrs. Rivka Chitrik. 5710.

ON THE WAY The Chabad askanus (communal the foundation for the Chabad activities) back in the forties went expansion in Eretz Yisroel in the TO THE REBBE forth from a modest apartment on years to come. He was the one who One of the interesting things that Rothschild Blvd 82 in Tel Aviv, the founded the Chabad school in Tel are told about those days is that R’ main street in old Tel Aviv at that Aviv, Yeshivas Achei T’mimim, the Yoel Kahn, who would later become time. This was the apartment of Rav yeshiva in Kfar Chabad, the the Rebbe’s chozer, was then a Chaim Eliezer Karasik a”h, the Vocational School, etc. young bachur, a Tamim in the Rebbe Rayatz’s representative, a Rabbi Karasik’s daughters, yeshiva in Tel Aviv. One day he genius in Nigleh and Nistar, who, in Rebbetzin Devorah Ashkenazi, Mrs. decided he had to see the Rebbe addition to rabbanus, devoted Tema Gurary, and Mrs. Rivka Rayatz. In those days, a trip to the himself to Chabad askanus, which Chitrik, tell us what they remember Rebbe was very unusual and was was in its infancy at the time. He set of those days from the perspective of certainly considered out of the

 1ES>Q #'1 +-1&' !& Above: The funeral of the Rebbe Rayatz. Right: The Rebbe Rayatz in the last photo At that time, we lived in Tel taken of him, on Chanuka 5710 Aviv. My older sisters (Rebbetzin Devorah Ashkenazi and Mrs. ordinary, especially for a bachur. Tema Gurary) were already Nevertheless, on Sunday, 11 married and I had just graduated Shvat 5710 he boarded a ship in from Bais Yaakov. The Chabad Chaifa port, along with his friend, community in Tel Aviv was very R’ Nosson Gurary (son of R’ small and there were hardly any Moshe Gurary). This was the day girls my age, so I didn’t have after the Rebbe’s passing and they much to do in Tel Aviv. had not yet heard the news. It was It was common for Bais only when they landed in New Yaakov graduates to go to Europe York that they found out that the to train as teachers in the Bais Rebbe Rayatz had passed away. Yaakov system, in order to make Mrs. Rivka (Karasik) Chitrik up, somewhat, for the spiritual was on that ship. She was one of and physical destruction of the the few Lubavitcher girls living at the time in Tel Aviv Holocaust. I thought I would do this too and when I (she now lives in New York). spoke to my parents about it, my father advised me to We asked Mrs. Chitrik to tell us about her trip: write to the Rebbe Rayatz and ask him.

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  Before writing, I asked my father for help and I remember that my father told me, “Write as a daughter writes her father,” and that is what I did. I received a response from the Rebbe in which he told me to go to New York and work in chinuch there. I remember that when my mother read the answer, she fainted. In those days, to send a young girl alone overseas was unheard of. My mother had a very hard time with this and so the topic was dropped for several months until I received another letter from Rabbi Chadakov in which he told me that he had already arranged my papers for me and that I could go to New York. This time, it was a bit easier for The early days in Kfar Chabad, in the center is Rabbi Karasik my mother since she had gotten used to the idea, and I began On the morning of that day, We arrived at the port and preparing to leave. The date for my some friends came to see me off, boarded the ship that sailed without trip was Sunday, 11 Shvat and there including my cousin Devorah our knowing what had happened in was interesting Divine providence at Broyde (sister of R’ Nosson New York. Later on, I heard from work here. My father bought me a Gurary), who cried a lot. I assumed my mother that after she heard the ticket on the ship Neptunia. On that she was crying because she was sad news she sent a telegram to Wednesday, 14 Shvat, R’ Meir sorry to see me go; afterwards I Portugal, where we were supposed Ashkenazi, known as the Rav from realized that she had already heard to make a short stop, hoping we Shanghai (who was visiting Eretz the news but didn’t want to tell me. would get the news and return. For Yisroel at the time), was supposed to Apparently, that morning there had some reason though, we did not return to America. He had a ticket been a news item in one of the receive the telegram. for the La Guardia, which was more morning papers and if I am not expensive. mistaken, they also mentioned it on GREAT MOURNING My mother wanted me to the radio, but we did not hear about Rebbetzin Devorah Ashkenazi postpone the date of my trip so I it. relates: could travel with him. She felt that if After we said goodbye to After we left the passengers, we I could travel more comfortably and everyone in Tel Aviv, we went by bus returned home to Tel Aviv. Before under Rabbi Ashkenazi’s to Chaifa, accompanied by my boarding the bus, R’ Folye Kahn supervision, it was worth the parents, R’ Refael (Folye) Kahn – R’ bought a newspaper and when we difference in price, as high as it Yoel Kahn’s father – Mrs. Kahn, my sat down on the bus he began to might be. My father thought that sister and brother-in-law, R’ Moshe read it. Suddenly, he began to cry since we had waited a long time to Ashkenazi. and he handed the paper to my get my papers, I should not delay my I remember one funny and father and said, “Come to shul trip to the Rebbe any longer. We touching incident from that trip. On today…” I remember that the entire ended up doing as my father said the bus ride, R’ Yoel’s hat blew out way home the atmosphere was very and I left on the Neptunia. the window. My brother-in-law, R’ sad, an indescribable sorrow. I say it was Divine providence Moshe, who was wearing a new hat, That same day all of Anash because I am sure that if we had didn’t hesitate for a moment but convened in shul and not only those postponed my trip until Wednesday gave R’ Yoel his hat, saying, “You from Tel Aviv. The atmosphere was it would have been cancelled. travel to the Rebbe with a hat…” bleak, as was the entire period after That was the love Chassidim had for Yud Shvat. one another in those days. THE NEWS You have to remember that in

 1ES>Q #'1 +-1&' !& those days, many of the Lubavitcher mother’s cries. She looked as though Nechama Dina, asking her to families in Eretz Yisroel lived in Tel her world had been destroyed. Her publicize the will, if there was one. Aviv, and Chassidim went there from cries of, “Tatte, tatte,” filled the They also asked her to convince the other places after they heard the sad house and they continue to Rebbe to accept the nesius. news. Most of Anash had come from reverberate within me until today. I Among those who signed were Russia and because of the difficult shudder when I remember those my father a”h, who was a key figure conditions back in Russia and their painful moments. in this request, along with Rabbi daily hardships, most of them did My father was more restrained. Zevin, Rav Shneur Zalman Garelik, not know the Rebbe’s son-in-law, He paced back and forth, but his red Rav Ezriel Zelig Slonim, his Ramash. This is why, at first, people ears (a sign of his rising blood brothers-in-law, the brothers R’ felt like orphans. pressure) demonstrated that he was Moshe and R’ Shmaryahu Gurary, The one who urged hiskashrus to in an emotional turmoil. R’ Pinchas Altheus, and R’ Zalman the Rebbe was my father-in-law, R’ A short while later, the rabbanim Sudekevitz. I remember that at one Meir Ashkenazi, who knew the R’ Shmaryahu Gurary, R’ Moshe of the meetings, my father suggested Rebbe personally. He spoke warmly Gurary, R’ Alexander Sender sending a delegation to America in about the Rebbe and did all he could Yudason, R’ Shaul Dovber Zislin, order to convince the Rebbe to to convince Anash to be mekushar to and R’ Pinye Altheus came to our accept the nesius. the Rebbe. It was Divine providence house. All were upset and trying to (About two years later, in 5712, that he was in Eretz Yisroel at the find solace in the company of Rav Sholom Haskind, one of the time. friends. activists in Tzach in the US, came to I remember that after the funeral, Eretz Yisroel as a shliach of the CORONATING RAMASH The one who remained at home in Tel Aviv and heard the sad news I received a response from the Rebbe in was the third Karasik sister, Mrs. which he told me to go to New York Tema Gurary: I remember that they all went to and work in chinuch there. I remember the port in Chaifa to accompany those traveling to the Rebbe and I that when my mother read the answer, couldn’t go because I was well along in a pregnancy. I was an assistant she fainted... principal in a school but that day I did not go to school; I stayed in my discussions began about the Rebbe, to visit the mosdos Chabad father’s office. The phone rang and immediate need to select a new and see how they were developing. Mrs. DeShalit was on the line. She Rebbe. In those days, this was a Rav Haskind held a meeting of wasn’t a Lubavitcher but she was somewhat daring move, for there Anash for the purpose of from the Schneersohn family. They were other opinions too, but as far strengthening hiskashrus to the had a news agency and when she as my father was concerned, he was Rebbe. found out about the Rebbe’s passing determined that Ramash (as he was (The main speaker at this she called to let us know. called then) be the Rebbe. meeting was my father. He spoke There are no words to describe I also remember that my father emotionally, with words from the the sorrow with which that news was called R’ Yisroel Jacobson in New heart, insisting that “we must have a received, in addition to which, York and they began urgent talks Rebbe!” At the end of the meeting, nobody was home and I had to deal regarding the pressing matters of the all present signed a letter to the with it myself. I immediately called time, for there were many issues that Rebbe in which they committed to my father-in-law, R’ Shmerel Gurary needed to be addressed. Later on, carry out all the Rebbe’s horaos.) who had a telephone in the offices of they all went to the gathering in the Dubek company, which he ran shul. They returned from shul late at (in those days there were hardly any IN AMERICA night. phones in private homes), and I Mrs. Chitrik: Some time after Yud Shvat, the informed him of the terrible news. As I said earlier, we set sail rabbanim and askanim in Eretz My parents returned home in the without knowing what had happened Yisroel sent a letter to Rebbetzin late afternoon. I’ll never forget my and throughout our trip we looked

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  forward to seeing the Rebbe Rayatz. on television. Thousands of people house was always humming with There were very few religious were there. Many of them fainted.” activity. passengers on the ship and it I was shaken by this news and I After Shabbos, I met with R’ became my job every morning to go said to R’ Yoel, “Did you hear what Chadakov and I told him that I to the kitchen and supervise the happened?” He answered, “I don’t wanted to go home. He told me that kashrus so we could eat. believe it.” he had instructions from the Rebbe After ten days of an exhausting At this point, I felt there was no about me. He said that the Rebbe voyage, we arrived in New York on point to my trip and I wanted to wanted me to teach in Bais Rivka Thursday, 21 Shvat. Our papers return home. I told Ringer that his and to look for another position. I were checked. My cousin, R’ Nosson assistance was no longer required as immediately began teaching in Bais Gurary’s papers were in order and I was going home. He said, “I have Rivka in the morning and in Bais he debarked that same day with my $1000 bond for you and $1000 for Yaakov in the afternoon. cousin, R’ Shneur Zalman Gurary, R’ Yoel (a huge sum in those days) In order to make my stay more who came to meet him. that Rashag sent to arrange for your pleasant, R’ Chadakov introduced My reception, on the other hand, release.” me to the daughter of Rabbi wasn’t that pleasant. The Some of the bachurim from the Kazarnovsky (today, Scharfstein), immigration officer asked me the yeshiva waited outside to take us to who was also not yet married. At purpose of my visit. When I said that Brooklyn. Their long faces that time, the community of Anash it was to teach, he examined my confirmed that the news the lawyer was tiny and there were hardly any papers that had been sent to me by had told us was true. Since it was a girls my age. I remember that when I went to 770, which was also much smaller than it is today, to hear There was no Shluchim Office back Parshas Zachor, the women’s section then and no Kinus HaShluchim; was practically empty. everything we did we did entirely on LIFE ON SHLICHUS Rabbi Ashkenazi presented a our own, on our own initiative. Little shidduch to me as my father had by little, we got a Chassidishe minyan requested. On Purim Katan 5711 I married my husband, R’ Tzvi Hirsch going, shiurim, and we even opened a Chitrik. Before the wedding we went up to the Rebbe Rayatz’s apartment Talmud Torah. in order to invite Rebbetzin Nechama Dina to the wedding. Baruch Hashem, the Rebbe was our R’ Chadakov. For some reason, my short winter Friday, we did not tarry mesader kiddushin. papers and those of R’ Yoel Kahn but drove to Crown Heights. I spent Right after the wedding, the were problematic and they did not Shabbos with my cousin, R’ Shneur question arose as to where we would allow us to enter the country. Zalman Gurary. live. We were a young, poor couple Back then, if your papers weren’t Shortly before my trip to New (most of Anash in those days were in order, you were sent to Ellis York, Rabbi Meir Ashkenazi visited poor immigrants). We had a few Island. We were held there for 24 our home in Tel Aviv. Since we were options. My father wanted us to hours. The next day, Friday, the related, my father asked him to look return to Eretz Yisroel. We could lawyer, Mr. Ringer, was sent by out for me. Indeed, when I arrived have moved to Montreal, where my Rashag to help us. He asked why I in New York, I lived at 518 Crown in-laws lived, or gone on shlichus to had come to New York. I said that Street, in the home of Rabbi Meir Brazil (a suggestion made by the “I had come, as the Rebbe, Rabbi Ashkenazi. Rebbe). Schneerson, had told me, to be At the beginning of my stay I My father did not want us going involved in chinuch.” witnessed the frequent telephone to Brazil. Don’t forget that in those “Which Rabbi Schneerson? The calls between my father and their days, the concept of shlichus was one who passed away?” house and with other Chabad completely new and unfamiliar and I didn’t understand his question. centers around the world, regarding my father’s main concern was He continued, “I saw his funeral the crowning of a new nasi. The chinuch. He did not see how it was

 1ES>Q #'1 +-1&' !& At a certain point, the Ashkenazi family joined us (my sister Devorah and brother-in-law, Moshe, with their children) which made things easier. Materially, we lived a modest life and were content. Of course, there was no yeshiva there and when the Ashkenazi boys got older, they went to Eretz Yisroel, where their grandparents in Tel Aviv supervised their chinuch. After my father passed away, on 5 Nissan 5721, we decided to return to New York. I felt that this fulfilled my father’s wishes for he wanted us to return to New York. Furthermore, when the Rebbe told us to go to Brazil, it was clearly a temporary move and we felt the time had come Rabbi Chaim Eliezer Karasik with British philanthropist Sir Isaac Wolfson, to return. When we asked the Rebbe R’ Pinye Altheus and R’ Zislin for permission to return to New York, he agreed but said we should possible to raise Chassidishe worried. They will return to the US, find replacements for ourselves. children in Brazil, which in those “to this place which You founded for I have no doubt that thanks to days was a spiritual desert. them.” And that is what happened. my going to New York upon the When my father was in doubt We went to Brazil and got busy. Rebbe Rayatz’s specific instruction, about something, he would open a There was no Shluchim Office back and going on shlichus to Brazil, as T’hillim. This time too, he opened a then and no Kinus HaShluchim; the Rebbe Nasi Doreinu requested, T’hillim and the verse there said, everything we did we did entirely on my husband and I merited to see “They go up to the mountains and our own, on our own initiative. Little children and grandchildren down to the valleys, to this place by little, we got a Chassidishe mekusharim to the Rebbe and which You founded for them.” He minyan going, shiurim, and we even serving as shluchim around the said to my mother, “I’m no longer opened a Talmud Torah. world. Raskin's Consistently “if it grows we have it” Superior Fruit and Produce Emporium WHOLESALE & RETAIL Michal & Aaron Raskin We Deliver 335 Kingston Ave. Brooklyn NY 11213 * Tel: (718) 756-3888 756-2221 * Fax: 756-2440

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  JLPEF>@E DDBRI> ‘SHLITA’ – WHAT’S THE QUESTION?

By Rabbi Zalman Hertzel Translated By Michoel Leib Dobry

Thus, when we take note of Beis Moshiach Magazine is pleased to the continuing argument in recent present the next installment from the years, and its similarity to the story of the students of Rabbi seifer Shlita by Rabbi Zalman Hertzel, Akiva, each of whom held firm in the belief that only he understood discussing the faith of Lubavitcher his master’s words, as opposed to his friend, who distorted the chassidim in the seventh generation. proper interpretation, we first must determine: What is the path The central question to be what constitutes chassidic life will for studying the Rebbe’s asked is: Has the reality criticize this mode of conduct a teachings? changed? Indeed, it’s true that bit more gently: This is a It doesn’t seem reasonable to for a certain period of time, it beautiful chassidic sentiment – say that the Rebbe would instruct was fitting to use the title save it for farbrengens held in the us in the deep and wondrous “Shlita,” but now when the reality middle of the night… teachings of Torah while leaving has changed, the use of this term After briefly analyzing the it closed and sealed, without the is simply not right. It is the question, we will now, G-d ability to interpret it properly. opposite of reality. From here, willing, focus upon the answer in Just as Torah study in general has we’re not that far away from a straightforward manner: What certain guidelines, and each drawing the conclusion that exactly is the foundation among particular mode of Torah study someone who uses this title now chassidim to use the title “Shlita” has specific principles, similarly, is “detached from reality.” even in these times? we find regarding the study of the Thus, in addition to the fact Rebbe’s teachings. (See Likkutei that it isn’t all that pleasant to be THE DECIDING FACTOR Sichos, Vol. 21, pg. 36. Sicha, accused of such a thing, we come Shabbos Parshas Tetzaveh 5745 As we mentioned at the outset, to the following conclusion, (Hisvaaduyos B’Lashon in order to get out of the which is also quite simple. This is HaKodesh, Vol. 3, pg. 1341.) In a entanglement of confusion, we liable to drive people away from sicha from Shabbos Parshas first must establish the standard Lubavitch. A person who creates Mishpatim 5745, the Rebbe by which we can know how to for himself an image of discusses the importance of the make our decision. eccentricity is bound to cause principles of Torah study, as “we Naturally, we can’t simply people in his immediate see clearly that the lack of study settle for a global statement that surroundings to distance and knowledge of ‘the principles the proper measuring stick is the themselves from him. From this of study’ are liable to lead to Rebbe’s sichos when we clearly point and on, it appears that the errors in basic and fundamental see with our own eyes numerous only ones who will join his circle matters.”) groups, each one claiming, of friends are eccentrics like him. For example, when someone morning and night, “The Rebbe is Those who are much closer to learns Rashi’s commentary on the with us (and always has been…).”

 1ES>Q #'1 +-1&' !& Torah, he first must be made the difference of approach of aware of the fact that Rashi was these s’farim is outlined in the the first of the literal interpreters, Rebbe’s teachings. (See also the as he said himself about his mode seifer Klalei Rashi, edited by of Torah study, “I come only [to Rabbi Tuvia Blau, and the seifer bring] the literal interpretation.” Klalei HaRambam, edited by While it’s true that his Rabbi M. Laufer.) The basic key commentary contains some to opening the gates of Torah marvelous things in the study is, therefore, the general framework of “the wine of principles of study. Torah,” nevertheless, the basic Perhaps we can illustrate this approach to studying his with an example of children’s commentary is the understanding games. Every game comes with a that it is the literal interpretation set of instructions. According to (and not a book of halachos, the instructions, one knows how etc.). In contrast, Rambam’s to play the game. Every child, Mishneh Torah is a seifer of before starting to play, reads (or halachos, and the Alter Rebbe’s asks someone to read to him) the Shulchan Aruch contains instructions in order that he will halachos with their reasons, as know what he has to do and how he is supposed to play the game before him. It’s true that it is also We can’t simply settle for a global possible to play another way, according to the rules that one statement that the proper measuring sets for himself, and not according to what is written in stick is the Rebbe’s sichos when we the instructions, but then he’s clearly see with our own eyes numerous already playing (not the game placed before him, but) a groups, each one claiming, morning different game. Thus, we now have to stop for and night, “The Rebbe is with us (and a moment, in order to understand what the path is in studying the always has been)...” teachings of the Rebbe shlita.

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#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  PEIF@ERP

Businessmen attending a shiur of Rabbi Ido Rahav

ONCE A POLICEMAN, NOW A SHLIACH

By Nosson Avraham

 1ES>Q #'1 +-1&' !& R’ Ido Rahav arrived in the Neot Afeka and Tzahala neighborhoods in northern Tel Aviv just four years ago, but has accom- plished so much already. He runs a Chabad house in these exclusive neigh-borhoods and works with the local residents. * With his simplicity and charm, as well as his persistence, he has managed to reach even those Jews who are so distant from Judaism. * Nosson usually write about Chabad houses that I visit for the purpose of Avrohom inter- preparing an article. It is always an interesting experience. This time Ithough, I write as part of the staff that works at the Chabad house in the viewed him about exclusive Neot Afeka and Tzahala neighborhoods in northern Tel Aviv, run by the shliach, Rav Ido Rahav. his work and heard Since I am personally involved with the place, I will start with a moving story that I witnessed and took part in. It was when Chabad first started a series of miracles working there and was operating out of a ramshackle building that a mekurav made available. I was involved with one of the bachurim in and answers from studying the laws of “Meat and Milk,” as part of the shlichus, when an older man walked in and asked for help putting on t’fillin. the Rebbe.

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  a word about it. When I saw a years ago, he returned to the old religious Jew on the street, I crossed neighborhood. Until then, he worked You know how to to the other side. I didn’t even have as a police officer in the Israeli make things a mezuza. Yet, deep inside, my police force, where in addition to conscience bothered me and this doing his job, he also had a positive relevant so that feeling grew around the holidays. influence on his colleagues. Then he “I was just walking down the left his job to become a fulltime Judaism doesn’t street and I saw the director of the shliach with the goal of preparing Chabad house coming towards me. I these neighborhoods to welcome seem outdated. didn’t have time to cross the street Moshiach. before he approached me with a The early days were not easy. You present it in a smile, a smile of victorious pride that People did not like the religious fresh, new way for reminded me of my parents and looking fellow walking around their relatives who walked proudly to their neighborhood. At first, he walked a the Jewish people, deaths. I couldn’t refuse his request long way on Shabbos with his that I put on t’fillin and after a break children in order to daven in a so that the best of sixty years, I did it.” Chabad minyan. People hurled Tears rolled down his face as he insults at him, like, “Where did you part of Judaism described how, as a boy, he would ‘blacks’ come from?” By now, there watch his father put on his t’fillin, is hardly anyone in the area who will reach and looked forward to the day when doesn’t know him on a personal everyone. he would be old enough to do the basis. same. This shlichus is not conducive to There was silence when he large and public events (except on He rolled up his sleeve and he finished his sad tale. When he had Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur, was obviously excited. He wanted to calmed down, he asked us where he when hundreds of people take part wrap the t’fillin himself, then he could buy t’fillin. He warmly kissed in the davening in a tent the shliach murmured the words of the Shma the paroches, kissed us too, and sets up). Looking for children with and it was apparent that he was disappeared. We haven’t seen him whom to recite the 12 P’sukim on undergoing an emotional upheaval. since. Shabbos is nearly impossible. Unlike We were not surprised when he the children in the southern Tel Aviv began to sob, though I had never RETURNING TO HIS neighborhoods, the children here sit seen anybody cry like that before. OLD NEIGHBORHOOD with their computer games or spend I offered him some water but he time at extra-curricular classes. The shliach, Ido Rahav, has been refused and said, “Don’t calm me R’ Ido has a good rapport with a part of many moving stories and down. I am a sinner. How am I the adults. They consult with him he’s not fazed anymore. In his view, different than goyim?” not only about Jewish matters but we have been promised that we are He took off the t’fillin, sat down, also about their work and private the generation of Geula. “The Torah and told us, “See yingelach (boys), I lives. Over the course of four years, tells us that no Jew will remain am a Holocaust survivor. When I he has solidified a warm community behind in galus,” he says. was a boy I went from one around him. Jews who had no Only someone who was born and concentration camp to the other,” special reason to reconnect to their raised in Neot Afeka and Tzahala in and he pointed to the numbers roots met the shliach, each in his Tel Aviv could understand how branded on his arm. “In my time, and now they attend the unrealistic it was to imagine that one childhood in Poland, I was raised as davening, which takes place every day there would be a Chabad house you were, as a Chassidishe boy. day in the temporary shul in the there. And forget about dreaming When the war was over and I had basement of the Rahav home. about a Machon Smicha for miraculously remained alive, I Other mekuravim who are not rabbanus, for that would have been moved to Kishinev and twenty years yet “ripe” just show up to completely out of bounds, even for a ago I moved here to Eretz Yisroel. farbrengens or Shabbos meals, dreamer! But R’ Ido not only dreamt “My entire family was murdered where they enjoy an authentic Jewish about it; he made it happen. in Treblinka and I angrily cut off my experience. R’ Ido was born here and raised ties to Judaism. I didn’t want to hear “Only someone that grew up as a typical child in Tel Aviv. Four

 1ES>Q #'1 +-1&' !& here can understand what the Rebbe understand what shlichus is and how shiurim for men and women. has accomplished,” says the shliach. to go about it.” “We are in the midst of “Dozens of families have committed Before doing t’shuva, R’ Ido negotiating to buy that lot. We have to the laws of Family Purity. Many worked as a detective in a special plans to put up a big building in others have committed to putting on unit of the police. He then married which all our programs will take t’fillin daily; others say Chitas. All Michal Meer from New Jersey, and place.” who daven in the minyan wear continued to work in the police force Chabad tallitot, and many of them in various capacities while looking LIKE POURING are as knowledgeable as a born and for a shlichus. His first choice was EXPENSIVE WINE INTO bred Chassid about dates in the northern Tel Aviv. After looking Chassidic calendar and Chabad around, he found that Neot Afeka A PLASTIC CUP niggunim.” and Tzahala did not have a shliach. This shlichus focuses on one-on- As someone who spent a lot of He met with the shliach of northern one work with mekuravim. Many of time there, if I was asked to explain Tel Aviv, Rabbi Dovid Oshaki, and his mekuravim did not go to a shul R’ Ido’s success, I would say that with the latter’s agreement he began since their bar mitzva, and now they aside from the kochos of the Rebbe, working in these neighborhoods. are regulars at the minyanim there is a certain appeal to his First he did a massive mezuza whether on Shabbos or weekdays. I stubbornness. For example, two campaign with the help of R’ interviewed R’ Ido shortly before a years ago, when they began having a Yonatan Zeigman and R’ Levi Segal. farbrengen in honor of 28 Nissan. daily minyan, there weren’t always “I experienced my first miracle The people slowly trickled in, so we ten men, and R’ Ido would go out on shlichus during that campaign. had time to talk with some of them. and look for someone to complete We went to one of the homes and an One of the mekuravim is Mr. the minyan. It could have been a older woman told us that she needed Ariel Eisenberg, an electrical morning jogger or an older man out a rabbi’s bracha since her daughter contractor by profession and a nice for a walk with his dog. Today, there was married for many years without guy. He’ll never forget how he first are over twenty men. children. Her mezuzos were pasul met R’ Ido. “Most of the people at the and we changed them. She wrote to minyan are those whose first time the Rebbe and opened to a bracha in “Every Yom Kippur, my wife would was when they were dragged in from Igros Kodesh. We had no connection drag me to the N’ila prayer when I the street. It was a good way of after that until nearly a year later, wasn’t even fasting. When we went getting another Jew involved, by when she called me in excitement to to shul three years ago, we noticed a stopping him in the middle of his life tell me that the miracle had taken big tent. We went inside and were and giving him a jolt of Judaism.” place thanks to me. It took me some taken care of graciously. There was I assume that even now, when a time to figure out who she was and a positive atmosphere and at the end minyan is no problem, R’ Ido still then I explained to her who was of the t’filla I decided that the next goes out and looks for more people. really responsible for the miracle.” year I would return and maybe even There were times that every day a After a while, when R’ Ido had fast, and that’s what I did. new karkafta (someone who never already purchased a home in the “After Yom Kippur, I met R’ Ido put on t’fillin before) joined them. neighborhood, things picked up. He on various occasions and we became received many answers from the friendly. He’s a special person who IN THE BEGINNING Rebbe in the Igros Kodesh always gives you the feeling that he throughout. Upon the advice of is ready to help and give you his R’ Ido began his shlichus mashpiim and rabbanim, he left his attention.” gradually. police work and became a fulltime Ariel began attending davening “I was one of the first students in shliach. R’ Ido does not like to talk and farbrengens. Last Shabbos, he the yeshiva in Ramat Aviv. Besides about the early difficulties of his even made a Seudas Hodaa to thank being a student, I quickly got shlichus. That’s the way he is; he Hashem for the miracle he had, involved in selling t’fillin and prefers moving onward and not when a virulent bacteria invaded his mezuzos and being responsible for dwelling on the past. daughter and her life was organizing farbrengens and other In the beginning, he had miraculously saved. activities. Now, in hindsight, I minyanim on holidays. Later on, he Ariel has another story: understand how much my close added a minyan on Shabbos, “One of my employees is a relationship with Rabbi Yossi Shabbos meals for mekuravim, and religious person but he has Ginsburgh at that time helps me

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  reservations about the Chabad WHAT HAPPENED AT THE MALL approach and that the Rebbe is One Friday, Dudi Yakunt and I (Nosson Avrohom) were Moshiach chai v’kayam. A few days supposed to go to the local mall for Mivtza T’fillin. Since it was a ago he told me an amazing story. rainy day, we decided to go inside and go from store to store. We The doctors found an incurable eye were not surprised when nearly everybody turned us down. We knew disease in his father’s eyes. It was a the type of residents and yet we were shluchim and we did our job. matter of time before he would lose When we were ready to leave, a group of kids came in. They his sight completely. All the doctors were the height of fashion with earrings and nose rings, and long they went to said the same thing. hair styled in interesting ways. Although we expected the answer to “He decided to write to the be negative, we asked them if they wanted to put on t’fillin. How Lubavitcher Rebbe, even though he surprised we were when they enthusiastically agreed! had always thought it was a One of them said that even though his brothers and parents did ridiculous thing to do – but he was not eat kosher, he had decided to eat kosher food as much as desperate. The answer he opened to possible. Another boy said that he loved to visit the shul in the in the Igros Kodesh was one in which neighborhood where he felt in touch with the truth. In short, the the Rebbe said that reality is not Rebbe’s message, that the world is ready, was demonstrated to us. always what we see and that They were so enthused that another group of boys that came in Hashem only gave doctors the ability also asked to put on t’fillin, except for one boy. Not only did he to heal, not to cause people to refuse to put on t’fillin, but he began to curse and kept on repeating despair. The man was flabbergasted. that he did not believe in G-d and that belonging to the Jewish “A few days later he went with people meant nothing to him. his father to a well-known eye We tried to ignore him, but he was bothering the others and they doctor. When the doctor examined responded in kind. Nothing swayed him and even though he was the his father, he looked again and again only one in the crowd, he was stubborn and angry. I figured at the medical file and said he had something must be bothering him and tried to talk to him. In the never seen anything like this before. meantime, the other boys finished putting on t’fillin and went on This was the first time that he was their way. seeing someone who had this eye Another boy was removing the t’fillin when this boy began to disease whose vision suddenly calm down. The friend said to just leave him alone. “There’s no way improved.” he’s going to put on t’fillin. He’s the only boy in the class who did * * * not celebrate his bar mitzva. I don’t even know whether he’s Roi does not come to every t’filla Jewish.” at the Chabad house, but he and his At this point, the boy broke down and agreed to put on t’fillin. wife, Meirav, are close with the We were taken aback but began putting the t’fillin on with him shliach and his family. before he changed his mind. When we tightened the straps on his “R’ Ido and his wife are our best arm, he was very moved and he began to tremble. His friend left friends,” he says. When he saw R’ and so it was more comfortable for him. Ido for the first time, he thought: When he finished saying Shma, he began to ask many questions Another dos (derogatory word for about G-d, Judaism, faith, etc. With Hashem’s help we answered religious Jew) … Not that he has him. He said he was 17 and had never visited a shul, had never put anything against religious Jews, but on t’fillin, and his bris was done only because of pressure from his he had never thought he would have maternal grandfather. His paternal grandparents were war survivors anything to say to them. Well, that’s who raised their children as atheists because of what they had all history now. Roi explains why he experienced. became friendly with the shliach We were very touched to see how this pintele Yid had emerged despite his previous ideas about from the klipos that had surrounded it, and from having put t’fillin religious Jews: on with a karkafta. Then it was our turn to ask why he, who had “I used to be a collector of been trained to hate Judaism, who had never heard about anything quality liquors. One day, the Jewish, not even from his grandparents, had been so moved when he president of an exclusive liquor put on t’fillin. He really didn’t know what to say and said that it was company came to Israel. Only twelve an inner feeling that had burst forth. people were allowed to attend his lecture, including myself. When he

 1ES>Q #'1 +-1&' !& Roi is a rational sort of fellow but even he was excited about the miracle he experienced: “My four-year-old had psoriasis, a chronic skin condition over his entire body. When R’ Ido heard about it, he urged us to commit to keeping the laws of Family Purity. My wife believed and decided that it would help, and the unbelievable happened. After only one month, the problem simply disappeared. We were in shock.” This story amazed many others as well as another mekurav, by the name of Shai, who also suffered The joy of a mitzva from psoriasis and put the details of the story up on an internet forum for people who suffer from this disease. He got hundreds of responses. He referred them all to the Chabad house nearest their homes. Roi, to the wonder of his friends and acquaintances, decided that after a miracle like that he had to give the Rebbe a gift. At the Seudas Moshiach farbrengen, he said he would buy t’fillin and a tallis and use them twice a week, for now. These two people are only representative of many others like them. Many more are in varying stages of hiskarvus with some of Every event is used to make a positive impact them already spreading the word in their circles. One of them is Yossi came in, he took a bottle of was saying that we had to adapt to Bibes, the owner of a cargo expensive liquor – one glass would the times. transport company at Ben-Gurion cost close to 1000 shekels – and “This is what attracted me to Airport, who was interviewed poured it into a plastic cup. Chabad, because you don’t change recently in a secular paper and “In the world of liquor Judaism one iota. On the contrary, conveyed to the readers a message connoisseurs, to take a beverage like you can be more extreme than those of Chassidus and the Besuras that and pour it into a simple cup is who outwardly seem more extreme, HaGeula. An actor by the name of a disgrace. One of the people dared but you know how to make things Gil Sassover tells whoever asks to censure him and as though relevant so that Judaism doesn’t about how he became involved at the waiting for the comment, he seem outdated. You present it in a Chabad house. explained that the population of fresh, new way for the Jewish The Chabad house recently held people who drink and appreciate this people, so that the best part of its first dinner with the participation liquor and who understand quality Judaism – like the expensive wine – of the chief rabbi, Rabbi Yona wine is growing older. If we will reach everyone. If you would Metzger, and the famous lawyer, continue using the traditional have asked me a few years ago if I Mr. Yaakov Ne’eman. About 150 pouring methods, we will be left with could picture being very friendly friends took part in this successful a nice tradition but without anyone with a religious family, I would look dinner, illustrating how much the to appreciate it. In other words, he at you as though you were crazy.”

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  work of the Chabad house is The founding of the Machon and couldn’t be revoked. I was beside appreciated and admired. its support were accompanied by myself. The talmidim were coming R’ Ido is specially trained to amazing answers from the Rebbe and I had nothing ready for them! I prepare couples for marriage. He and with open miracles. R’ Ido tells sat down and wrote to the Rebbe explains to couples from the one of the stories which illustrates and asked for help. neighborhood how, despite the that when you go with the power of “The talmidim came and they difficulties, marriage the Jewish way the Rebbe in a way of “l’chat’chilla spent the first weeks in my house. is worth it. A number of couples aribber,” you see how the Rebbe On Thursday of the second week, have married with the guidance of helps and solves every problem: one of our mekuravos – with whom the shliach and his wife and they are “In these neighborhoods, it’s not we don’t have a daily connection but very grateful to the shluchim. easy to find an apartment to rent or only speak before holidays or “Do you understand what it buy. After months of looking for an sometimes on Shabbos – came and means to have hundreds of apartment for the talmidim that wanted to write to the Rebbe. In her ‘northerners’ standing quietly with would be near the Chabad house, I letter she said that she wanted to sell some in tears as the niggun ‘Dalet finally found one at a relatively her apartment because she wanted Bavos’ plays?” asks R’ Ido with a decent price for that area. I closed to move away. little smile. with the agent, agreeing to rent it for “In the answer she opened to in one year. I went home happy, the Igros Kodesh, the Rebbe wrote MACHON SMICHA knowing that another important that after a tragedy she should not detail had been taken care of. This rush to sell property. This was a “We have no time to look behind was a few days before the bachurim clear answer for her since her us,” says the shliach. “The Geula is were due to come from 770. All I husband had died a few years before knocking at our door and our job is had to do was get beds and other and she still hadn’t recovered and to prepare as well as possible.” furnishings. wanted to move. To my surprise, she R’ Ido thought that founding a “In the evening of the following wasn’t excited by the clear answer Machon Smicha was an important day I got a call from the agent who and after a few minutes I achievement. told me that since he hadn’t understood why. She said that the “When you want to transform a informed the owner in time, the day before she had visited the place from its roots, and not suffice owner had already agreed to rent it Chabad center in Tel Aviv with her with a small community around you, to someone else. I was taken aback. son and had written to the Rebbe you need help and the best help is What would I do now? I was told there too about wanting to sell her that of the T’mimim who just came that the contract was signed and apartment. The earlier answer had from yeshiva or from 770. They live and breathe Rebbe and are motivated and enthusiastic about working and being mashpia on others.” The Machon Smicha got underway last year. Some wealthy individuals, led by R’ Yaakov Herzog, are its main supporters. They see eye-to-eye with the shliach about the purpose of the Machon. Yehuda Lorber is a Tamim who helped select a good group of bachurim who wanted to combine mivtzaim with in-depth learning. About ten T’mimim arrived in northern Tel Aviv to pioneer this new project. The mashpia Rabbi Avrohom Meizlich heads the Machon and the shiurim are given by Rabbi Dov Tevardovitz, a rav in Kfar Chabad. Talmidim in the Machon HaSmicha being tested by Rabbi Dov Tevardovitz

 1ES>Q #'1 +-1&' !& also been clearly against selling the apartment. “I could see she was overwrought. The next day she went back to the Chabad center in Tel Aviv with her son to write to the Rebbe. She really wanted to sell her apartment yet she was afraid to go against the Rebbe’s clear answers. The Rebbe’s third answer was even clearer than the previous ones. The Rebbe was writing to someone who had some property and said that it would be better if he rented it to a branch of Tomchei T’mimim in his city. “The shliach there asked her if there was a branch of a yeshiva near where she lived and that’s all she R’ Ido leading a Lag B’Omer parade needed to hear. Within a few hours she had come to me and we signed a and Jewish concepts and understand promised to send pictures of the contract.” why they need to publicize the Rebbe to the children. After the It’s obvious that the Rebbe is coming of the Geula and what we show, those who produced it mailed taking care of the Machon Smicha – have to do to hasten its coming. out Moshiach cards to the children.” Kerem Menachem. In its very first “The amazing thing is,” says As mentioned before, many year it acquired a good reputation. Mrs. Rahav, “that sometimes, the families have committed to keeping “I am very particular about children influence their parents the laws of Family Purity and many providing quality gashmius starting whether to light Shabbos candles or men have committed to putting on with the food and then with sleeping in getting their fathers to go to shul. t’fillin every day. and other accommodations. I believe “One girl, Danielle Cohen, stars “Speaking of Family Purity, I that if the gashmius is comfortable, in children’s movies and television must tell you an amazing story. then the ruchnius will be too. I see shows and she is very beloved to the There is a mekurav here who was on this to be true.” children who watch these programs. the verge of divorce after ten years The talmidim were tested on the Although she did not grow up in a of marriage. The couple had gone to laws of “Meat and Milk” by Rabbi religious home, she is very various therapists but nobody had Yeshaya Hertzel, rav of Natzrat Ilit, connected to the Rebbe and lives made peace between them. and Rabbi Dov Tevardovitz and did with the Besuras HaGeula. Whenever it seemed that things had very well. Whenever she appears, and it improved, a few days went by and happens often, she mentions the the fighting broke out again. THE INFLUENCE Rebbe and conveys a great deal of “They decided that they had optimism to her fans. irreconcilable differences and they OF CHILDREN “Recently, she was a guest on a planned on divorcing. I was upset The shluchim are constantly popular program and she amazed about this. Just as it’s wonderful to coming up with new ideas which are the audience when she told them see a couple marry, it’s miserable to quickly implemented and are very that a large part of her earnings goes see a couple go through a divorce. I impressive. For example, there are to the work of the Lubavitcher met with the couple and suggested twenty children from the upper-crust Rebbe in her neighborhood. During that they keep the laws of Family of the neighborhood who take part the war in Lebanon she appeared in Purity. each week in a branch of Tzivos a television program and children “After a few months they came to Hashem started by the shlucha, contacted her in order to tell her me together with big smiles on their Michal Rahav with the help of two their problems and fears. Her faces. It had worked for them and dedicated counselors who come response for fears was surprising, they would be staying together. They from Kfar Chabad. ‘Think about the Lubavitcher Rebbe told their surprised friends what had The children learn about holidays and this will certain calm you.’ She worked for them and this motivated

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  have been checking out the possibility of buying a certain piece of property in the center of the community.” When the shliach talks about “l’chat’chilla aribber,” I understand just what he means. I worked with him and so I know what he had in the beginning and what he has now. It’s just incredible. When I point out to him that some shluchim don’t want to talk about inyanei Moshiach because they are afraid it will adversely affect their work, but with him, publicizing the identity of Moshiach has only been positive, he says. “Some shluchim think that Moshiach can harm their work? I invite those shluchim, if there are shluchim like that, to come to me for R’ Ido Rahav speaking at a farbrengen for mekuravim. Next to him is Rabbi Shabbos and see how the Avrohom Meizlich of Kfar Chabad mekuravim enthusiastically dance ‘Yechi Adoneinu’ Friday night. other couples to do the same.” Our entire shlichus would fail if not “Most of them are hardboiled for the Rebbe’s kochos and brachos. realists who don’t quickly believe SPREADING THE ‘L’chat’chilla aribber’ is a saying that things that they don’t see. The BESURAS HA’GEULA IS ought to guide every shliach. Rebbe says (sicha Chayei Sara) that “Our next goal is to open a THE BRACHA IN Moshiach is the channel for success preschool and a Judaica store. Our in shlichus and you can see that this SHLICHUS more long-range plan is to construct is true. We have to convey the “The ‘Ani Maamin’ that I a large building. There are some message that we were asked to adopted for myself,” concluded R’ wealthy people in the community convey, rather than do as we see fit. Ido, “is to keep moving forward. We who are excited by the idea and with If you go on shlichus, you are no see how the Rebbe gives us kochos. Hashem’s help, they will help us. We longer a private individual.”

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 1ES>Q #'1 +-1&' !& PQLOV

occasion of my birthday I resolved to learn from the Rebbe’s teachings for five minutes a day. The day before R’ Landau returned to New York, I met him in Miami Beach. We sat down to learn for five minutes, as per my hachlata. After we learned I said to him: R’ Zalman, listen, I have a serious problem. I need you to help me. I told him the following. Two and a half years ago, I began the process to get my Green Card which would allow me to remain permanently in the United States. You have to fill out a lot of forms and I sat with a lawyer to do the paperwork in the optimal way. Everything went smoothly, but two months later, the immigration office THE REBBE stopped responding to the documents and letters I sent them. They were supposed to send me a temporary permit to extend my stay in the US but did not send one. For IS IN CHARGE two and a half years they stopped responding. At first I thought this was By Avrohom Reinitz normal, but after half a year went by I knew something was amiss. I Uri is an Israeli who lives in this remark meant nothing to me, hired an expensive lawyer who told Florida whom I met last week in but his genuineness was appealing me that he had been working in this Crown Heights. and I decided to stay in touch with line for thirty years and knew “I came to thank the Rebbe for him. We exchanged phone numbers everybody at the immigration the miracle he did for me,” he said. and in the coming months we spoke department. He told me about the I asked Uri to tell me the story now and then. Interestingly, it excellent relationship he had with and this is what he said: happened that I tried reaching him one of the managers in the * * * a few times, without success, and immigration department and he My story begins in Cheshvan then a day or two later he called expressed confidence that within a last year, when Rabbi Zalman me. He didn’t know I had tried to short time he would manage to Landau came to visit Ft. reach him but he had just opened to finalize the process. Lauderdale. On my birthday, 17 a letter in the Igros Kodesh in which He went over the papers, Cheshvan, I went to the Moshiach the Rebbe said to inquire about his prepared additional documents, and Center, which is run by Rabbi Motti mekuravim, so he called me. sent letters to his contacts in the Anati, to have a more spiritual immigration department. A week experience on my special day. R’ TWO YEARS WITH went by and another week and Landau was farbrenging with the NO RESPONSE nothing happened. T’mimim and I joined them. R’ I wanted to visit Eretz Yisroel This year, R’ Landau was back Landau turned to me and said: the but couldn’t leave the US until my in Ft. Lauderdale on my birthday Rebbe wants you to be a papers were arranged. At work too, again. Once again, we participated Chassidishe bachur. they wanted to know what was in a farbrengen together. This time, I didn’t know R’ Landau and happening with my Green Card. we had a closer connection. On the

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  But nothing was happening. Time said that they knew nonreligious had gone to 770, so I was able to passed, the lawyer charged me Jews who kept Shabbos and really spend the entire Shabbos there, in more and more money, and sent off enjoyed it. their apartment. more letters, but nobody responded. Wednesday morning, after much On Motzaei Shabbos, when I indecision, I decided to do as the went home, there was another letter THE REBBE WANTS YOU Rebbe said and to start keeping from the immigration department TO KEEP SHABBOS! Shabbos. I called R’ Landau, who waiting for me. It said: regarding was back in New York, and told your request, you are invited to an R’ Landau listened to my story him. He was happy to hear the interview that will take place in two and after I finished describing news and said that certainly the weeks. everything I had done in the Rebbe was pleased by my decision My lawyer could not believe me previous two years he said: What and would give me a bracha. this time either, until I sent him a about writing to the Rebbe? The very next day, I was copy of the letter. He had been I told him that I had already surprised to see a letter in my working on my case for two years written and had not gotten an mailbox from the immigration and had already concluded that answer. He told me to sit down and department. After two years of either I was being investigated by write! silence, this envelope was very Homeland Security, or else they I washed my hands, said welcome! suspected my documents were “Yechi,” and wrote to the Rebbe With trembling hands and a fraudulent, and it was being about my problem. When I was quickly beating heart, I opened the investigated by immigration finished, I put the letter into a envelope. To my delight, I saw that authorities. That was the only volume of the Igros Kodesh that R’ it said: In order to continue the explanation he had for my not Landau had and gave him the process of obtaining a Green Card, hearing from them for two years. volume so he could explain the you are asked to come to the Now suddenly, it had all changed Rebbe’s answer. immigration office for overnight. R’ Landau looked at the answer fingerprinting. briefly and said: The Rebbe wants It was as though two years you to keep Shabbos! THE SHABBOS BEFORE hadn’t just gone by since the last AN OPERATION I was unwilling to commit to time I had heard from them. I this. Although I did not work on looked at the date the letter was Another week went by and I Shabbos, this was a day I spent written and saw that it had been spent Shabbos at the Moshiach playing soccer and swimming. I sent the day before, the day I had Center. That Shabbos I had a told R’ Landau: Why Shabbos? decided to keep Shabbos! strange dream. In my dream I saw How about something else, like I called my lawyer and updated the figure of the person who was kashrut? Just not Shabbos! him about the letter. He couldn’t interviewing me for a Green Card. I R’ Landau just looked at me in believe it. “Since I represent you, I didn’t pay the dream much surprise and said: You’re arguing was supposed to have received that attention. with me? Was it I who told you to letter and then given it to you.” He The third Shabbos was my third keep Shabbos? The Rebbe told you! asked me to fax him the letter so he that I kept properly and, once If you want the Rebbe’s bracha, could be sure that the letter was again, I spent it at the Moshiach then start keeping Shabbos! indeed for me, and that it wasn’t a Center. During Shabbos, I sat I couldn’t decide on the spot mistake. down to learn for five minutes. I and we parted without my making a I faxed him the letter and called usually learn from the book called, commitment. him again. He said, “I have no idea Bracha V’Hatzlacha, which has the what happened here, but they want Rebbe’s advice on all sorts of THE MIRACLES BEGIN to see you and you should go as topics. I learn something from it at In the days that followed I spoke soon as possible.” random and each time, I am about it with some friends. Some of I went to the immigration surprised to see that the letter I them said it wasn’t worth starting department on Friday and after they picked has something to do with me to keep Shabbos because that was fingerprinted me, I decided to or with the person learning with just the beginning of a process that spend Shabbos at the Moshiach me. I was once speaking with my would end with my becoming Center. Just that Shabbos, Shabbos friend in Eretz Yisroel, who is not completely religious. Other friends Mevarchim, some of the bachurim religious. I said to him: Come, let’s

 1ES>Q #'1 +-1&' !& learn together, pick a page and I’ll your connections, didn’t manage to chance but I insisted. I felt that I open to that page. get anything moving in two years, had a bracha from the Rebbe and He picked a page number and while the Rebbe has done it so unlike the lawyer, I was calm. we read the Rebbe’s letter against quickly. In the meantime, the lawyer Reform conversions. My friend was I got to the office at nine tried using his connections with one stunned since he was just about to o’clock. Fifteen minutes later, the of the managers. He asked the have his gentile girlfriend converted lawyer showed up. We sat waiting manager’s assistant to tell him that in a Reform conversion. for my appointment that was he, the lawyer, was waiting to see On another occasion, I sat down supposed to be at 9:30, and spoke him. A few minutes later, the to learn with one of the bachurim at in the meantime. The minutes assistant came out and told the the Moshiach Center. I chose to passed and it was 10:00 and I was shocked lawyer that the manager learn a letter about kavana in t’filla. still not called. was not interested in meeting with The bachur told me that he had just Usually, when you show up with him. After thirty years of a fine spoken to his mashpia, that very a lawyer, they consider his busy relationship with the manager, he day, about needing to have more schedule and honor the time of was absolutely taken aback by this kavana when he davened. your appointment. He went to see rude treatment. That Shabbos before my what was going on and two minutes The hours passed and at 12:00 interview, I read a letter from the later he returned, looking extremely one of the interviewers came out Rebbe that said that on the Shabbos gloomy. and said: Is Uri here? before an important operation, it “What happened,” I asked. I looked up and was surprised to was a good idea to say the entire “The most awful thing see that this was the person I had T’hillim. I thought that my happened. Your interviewer is the dreamed about a week and a half ago! The lawyer was surprised too, though not because of my dream. That was when he finally realized He looked at me and didn’t understand why I was smiling. For that he was not running the show and two and a half hours he had tried getting me a different interviewer that something supernatural was and had been told that only that taking place. particular interviewer could handle my case, and yet here was another person who was calling me in for interview was comparable to an worst person in the immigration an interview! important operation but was too office. It is very rare that he will That was when he finally lazy to say the entire T’hillim and approve someone for a Green Card. realized that he was not running the only said the T’hillim for Shabbos. The problem is that he is the only show and that something one authorized to deal with your supernatural was taking place. THE LAWYER THROWS case. Apparently, your case is UP HIS HANDS considered very problematic, which THIS FILE IS is why it was given to him to deal FRAUDULENT! On Monday I went to the with.” immigration department. R’ Simcha “What now?” I asked. I went in for the interview. The Cohen of the Moshiach Center, told The lawyer recommended that I lawyer sat on the side, not trying to me to take along a Chitas. I said I ask for another appointment. It mix in too much. I sat, relaxed, had so many papers that I had to would take a few more months, he with my Chitas next to me, feeling take along but he insisted: You have said, but there would be a chance that the Rebbe was with me. to take the Chitas with you. that I would be assigned a more The interviewer looked through I couldn’t refuse him and I took reasonable interviewer. the papers in front of him and a Chitas. When the lawyer saw it he I told him that I had no suddenly looked at us and said: We asked me what it was. I explained it intention of postponing my have proof that all this is to him briefly and he dismissed it, interview. I wanted to finish the fraudulent! saying: That’s going to help you? I nightmare that day. The lawyer I didn’t expect this. He was so said: What do you care? And I tried convincing me that I had no sure of himself that I already thought to myself – you, with all envisioned the black stamp on my

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  passport. transferred from one to the other; materially. And naturally, the The lawyer was utterly shocked one minute they have evidence above also includes getting him to and he looked at me, wondering against you and the next minute go to shul, and preferably with what was going on here. After a they skip 100 questions and his wife. We know the aphorism long moment he asked: What brings approve you for ten years…” of my father-in-law, the Rebbe in you to that conclusion? the name of the tzaddik, R’ Meir The interviewer said that in the THE REBBE THANKS ME of Premishlan, that when you are previous two years they had FOR THE GOOD NEWS bound up Above, you don’t fall investigated me and had concluded down below, from which we that I did not work for the company Immediately after the interview understand that as the connection that I claimed I was working for, I tried calling R’ Landau to tell him to matters pertaining to up Above and since this was the case, I could the good news, but I couldn’t reach grows, there will be less grounds not be approved to remain in the him. Two days later, on for the aforementioned US. Wednesday, he called me. concerns… The lawyer quickly presented I asked him, “Did you know I With blessings for success in papers that proved that I worked was trying to reach you?” these matters in general, and for that company but the He said, “No, but I opened to regarding your efforts in coming interviewer was not looking at him. an answer from the Rebbe in here in particular. He looked at me and said: What I’ll connection with you and that’s why * * * I called. do in any case is give you a test After the fourth Shabbos, when He told me that he had written with 130 questions. If all your I returned to my apartment on to the Rebbe about the difficulties answers match up, I will believe Motzaei Shabbos, I got an official he had had on his trip to Florida you. letter acknowledging that I had and this was the answer he had He began the series of questions concluded the immigration process opened to: and after seven or eight of them he successfully. B”H looked at his watch and said: Oh, it In incredible timing, one week 14 Menachem Av 5715 will be my lunch break in another later, once again upon my return Brooklyn ten minutes. I won’t be going from the Moshiach Center on Shalom U’v’racha through all the questions, let’s go to Motzaei Shabbos, there was an In answer to your letter of 10 the last one. envelope with the long-awaited Av; thank you for the good news After I answered the last Green Card. that you were able to be a good question he said: Can I have your I went to thank the lawyer for shliach to return…to his roots passport? being the shliach. R’ Motti Anati, through his having become I gave it to him and while I R’ Simcha Cohen, and R’ Daniel shomer Shabbos. As our Sages prayed that he act in my favor, I Green went with me and we put up and the Mishna say, one mitzva heard him say to himself: I was a mezuza in the lawyer’s office and leads to another mitzva and going to give him a temporary lit the menora. surely there will be additional permit for two years, but since I see R’ Anati told the lawyer that I improvement in the spiritual that you are working for that had started keeping Shabbos matters of…although obviously he company for two years already, I’ll because the Rebbe told me to, and needs to be very careful in this give you a permit for ten years. this was the secret of my success. until he is sufficiently strong in He took out the stamp and The lawyer was quite surprised and his Shabbos observance. stamped my passport. A minute said that now he understood who Regarding your question as to later we were outside. I said to the had been moving things along. what he should do to strengthen lawyer: Tell me something. How do Now that I have gotten my this, it would be good for you to you explain this? hoped for resident status, R’ try in a diplomatic manner to see The lawyer was dumbfounded Landau told me that I should go to it that his Shabbos and Yom and he said, “I have nothing to say. and thank the Rebbe and that’s Tov be filled with content by This has never happened to me why I’m here. I am happy to tell participating in a shiur or visiting before and it won’t happen again. my story about this incredible with friends and acquaintances, In the decades I’ve been in this miracle that I personally etc. And in addition, to refer profession, I have never had experienced. anything like it. Cases being clients to him so that he will also see an increase in his bottom line

 1ES>Q #'1 +-1&' !& Congregation Lubavitch 770 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11213

You are cordially invited to attend the Grand Chassidic Farbrengen in honor of YYUDUD SSHVATHVAT Hilula of the Rebbe Rayatz and celebrating the Leadership of the Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach which will take place, G-d willing Thursday, Yud Shvat (January 17, '08) 8:30 pm in Beis Moshiach - 770

Featuring special guest speakers in English Dr. Aryeh Gotfryd

The Gabboyim

Long live the Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach forever and ever! CB>QROB THE UNVANQUISHED

By Avrohom Reinitz

The white dove flew for a few “The Unvanquished” is a documentary minutes in the yard of the film, the first in a series, about the infamous prison, Spalerka, and then landed with a flurry of wings heroism of the Rebbe Rayatz and his on the windowsill of one of the prison cells. The producer, Mr. Chassidim and their war against the Daniel Nikolin, was excited by the unusual sight and told his camera forces of evil, the Soviets. * For the first crew to focus on the dove that was cooing between the walls of the time, a quality film has been produced prison. A few seconds later, the that documents the Rebbe Rayatz’s dove spread its wings and flew far away from the prison walls. imprisonment and the heartrending When I sat down to interview Rabbi Yitzchok Kogan about the scenes in the Spalerka prison. * For a series of films, “Chassidim – Living for Faith,” I heard how the look behind the scenes, I interviewed entire series, from beginning to end, has been accompanied by Rabbi Yitzchok Kogan, shliach and rav many instances of hashgacha in Moscow and a member of Aguch in pratis every step of the way. The white dove in the prison, which the CIS. was included in the film, was just one, small example. The series of films tells the story of the heroism of Chassidim in Soviet Russia as they faced off against the evil superpower. They derived the strength for this from the incredible heroism of the Rebbe in his opposition to the Yevsektzia. How did you come up with the idea of a series of films? The idea came up because of a documentary that we did about our shul, the Bolshoi Brunoi, to mark 120 years since its founding. The producer was very impressed by the devotion of the Chabad Chassidim and he began looking into the subject of Jewish heroism,

The DVD covers in English and Russian

 1ES>Q #'1 +-1&' !& Below: The small windows of the cells in Spalerka – a view from the yard. Top Inset: The steps down which the Rebbe Rayatz was taken up from the interrogation room to his prison cell. Bottom inset: the entrance to cell #160, where the Rebbe Rayatz was imprisoned

in general, and the heroism of victory of the Chabad Chassidim Chabad Chassidim in particular. over the depraved Soviets. Once After he found a lot of material he was familiar with the material, on the topic, he expressed an he prepared a script for a long interest in producing a series of film that would cover the Rebbe’s films about the heroism of battle, the battle of the Chassidim Chassidim who were opposed by in Russia, and the great victory of the communists. I told him that the Chassidim, who were killed al the best example of Jewish kiddush Hashem in Russia, in that heroism is the Rebbe Rayatz who their descendents continue in their was in the worst prison in Russia, ways and disseminate Judaism and yet even there he managed to Chassidus around the world. prevail. In the early stages, when he on the heroism of the Rebbe and The producer began reading was gathering material, the his imprisonment in 1927, until the Rebbe Rayatz’s memoirs of his producer realized that he could his release on 12 Tamuz. imprisonment, as they are not squeeze the entire story of the The main part of the film translated into Russian by R’ Rebbe and the Chassidim into one reconstructs the experiences of Dovid Abba Gurewitz, as well as film. He decided to change his the Rebbe Rayatz during his the book written by Rabbi Ezra plan and instead, to produce three imprisonment in Spalerka. Were Chovkin that tells the story of the films with the first one focusing the scenes shot within the actual

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  prison? she would make sure we got This was a serious problem. permission. Once again, the Obviously, the heart of the film We took a bus on Sunday to about the Rebbe should have been Moscow with three men who were jailers opened the in Spalerka prison. However, till going to take part in the filming. this day the place serves as a When we got there Monday gates of the jail prison of the secret service of the morning, the clerk was in an KGB, and we could not get in and especially good mood since it was for Chabad film there. her birthday. She welcomed us For a few months we used all with great respect and said that our connections and they all tried just at that time, some of the Chassidim, but to help us, but nobody could building had left the jurisdiction of obtain a permit for us to film the KGB for that of the Interior this time it wasn’t there. They agreed to allow us to Ministry, including the section film in the nearby jail but not in where the Rebbe had been to arrest them but Spalerka. imprisoned. Since this was the Time was moving on and only case, she had instructed the prison a few days remained until the start supervisor to allow us to film on to enable them to of the “white nights” in all floors of that section and not Leningrad, when the sun remains only in the Rebbe’s room! film a documen- in the sky until very late at night. We stayed in the infamous Since the story of the prison for seven hours and tary about the imprisonment took place at this reconstructed the main events of time of “white nights,” it was the Rebbe’s imprisonment. The jail courage of the important to the producer to make looks precisely as it did when the the film at this time, so that the Rebbe was there. The walls are reconstruction of events would be dark and the rooms inspire terror. Chassidim. as close as possible to the way it Even the wooden beds are the had taken place. same as they were 80 years ago. the room next door. Then he had an idea. Instead I cannot describe the emotions From ten in the morning until of asking the KGB, he would ask we felt as we filmed within the five in the afternoon, we filmed in the Interior Ministry for prison. The dark walls and the the jail. We did depictions of the permission to film only the fear that emanated from them interrogations within the original Rebbe’s room. We wrote this new were palpable, especially when interrogation rooms and then request, in which we explained people were still sitting there in reconstructed the fateful march that we only wanted to film the jail in those suffocating cells. This the Rebbe made in the maze of room that the Rebbe had been in, thought, that while we were corridors. for the purpose of historical filming, there were inmates behind Throughout the film you play accuracy. every door, was spine-chilling. the role of the Rebbe Rayatz but Three days later I got a phone When we got to the Rebbe’s we don’t see your face. The angle call from one of the senior clerks room, #160, we saw that it was of the camera manages to convey in the Interior Ministry of the only room on the floor that the strong presence of the Rebbe Leningrad (now Petersburg). She had undergone a change in recent only in shadows, but did you inquired as to the purpose of the years. This room is used as a place wonder whether it was right to film and after I explained it to her, for the jailers to relax and they have anybody depict the Rebbe? she asked when we wanted to painted it and decorated it with When the producer prepared come. I said that we wanted to modern fixtures. We had no choice the film, he told me that since the come as soon as the “white then but to film in the room next Rebbe Rayatz is the central figure th door, #159, that remained the of the story, someone had to play nights” began, on May 25 . She him. Without him, the film would was happy to hear that date and same as it had been in 1927. We did the scenes of entering the be absolutely dry. He asked me to said that it was her birthday. She do it. was in a good mood and said we room opposite #160, the room the Rebbe was in, but we filmed inside Since I knew that nobody should come in the morning and would think that it was actually

 1ES>Q #'1 +-1&' !& Rabbi Yitzchok Kogan filming in the prison, we asked the assistant supervisor as a favor, to allow us to film the part of entering the jail at three in the morning, as it was the night of the Rebbe’s arrest. To our delight, he agreed and we were able to go to the jail at three o’clock. Once again, the jailers opened the gates of the jail for Chabad Chassidim, but this time it wasn’t to arrest them but to enable them to film a documentary about the courage of the Chassidim. It is told that the Rebbe erred and walked down the wrong corridor. If he had walked straight, he would have reached the place where they killed prisoners. What exactly took place? It’s very simple. There are two hallways. One leads to the interrogation room and the other leads to where they took prisoners out to be killed. They told the Rebbe to walk in the direction where they killed prisoners but the the Rebbe and all would realize getting his t’fillin. Rebbe mistakenly went to the that the shadow images were of an During the filming, we even other hall, which led to the ordinary person, and it was only reproduced that fall. For the interrogation room. to bring the story to life that purposes of the film, I had to When I was there, I tried to someone had to play the role of somersault and fall down the understand this mistake and could the Rebbe, I agreed to do it. stairs. After I did a few sample not understand it. It just doesn’t The producer managed to falls and the photographer was make sense how the Rebbe did not capture the realism in an pleased with the results, he continue down the hall that they outstanding way, while it is also decided to fall too, along with the told him to walk. Today we know obvious to all that this is not the movie camera, so as to get the that this seeming error saved his Rebbe Rayatz. Pictures of the visual effect of the fall down the life. Rebbe presented in slow motion stairs from the perspective of the In the film we see your create the effect of associating the person falling who sees everything shadow, as you sit in the shadow figure with the real picture turning around him. hallway, playing the Rebbe. What of the Rebbe. The producer had studied the did you think about as you did As you walked the halls, did Rebbe’s memoirs and during the this? you know where the Rebbe filming I saw how knowledgeable As I walked there in the prison walked? he was in every detail. For and they filmed me, I was very Of course. Till this day, they example, when we filmed the nervous that my walking looked do things just as they did eighty Rebbe entering his cell, I went in staged, theatrical. I didn’t want years ago. There’s the floor of holding t’fillin. He immediately that and I tried to think what the interrogations and the floor of stopped the filming and said: Rebbe was thinking in those prisoners. There is only one way Yitzchok, what’s with you? You moments so that the to get from floor to floor, that forgot that they took his t’fillin reconstruction would be as flight of stairs they threw the away on the first floor? realistic as possible. Rebbe down when he insisted on When we finished all the

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  I have “lived” with the Rebbe thought about too, about the to see that the people living there for many years. The Rebbe’s s’farim of the Rebbeim that are had changed its outward heroism gave me the strength to held captive by the Russians. I appearance completely so that it get through the years of being a prayed to Hashem that we speedily looked like any modern house. refusenik. I constantly drew redeem the s’farim. After looking around, we found chayus from the stories about the Aside from the filming in a house in the area that was built Rebbe, his bravery and his staunch Spalerka, you had to reconstruct just like that of the Rebbe, and faith and not caring what people the arrest in the Rebbe’s house had remained that way. We went said. He was my role model, as well as his going into exile at in and felt we had stepped back always. the train station in Leningrad. eighty years. In the Rebbe’s memoirs he says How did that go? The producer insisted on being that what preoccupied him during Nothing went easily but with as precise as possible in the those fateful moments was the Hashem’s help we found a reconstruction, so we thought of the s’farim, namely that solution to every problem. When reconstructed the arrest in one the s’farim should not fall into we got to Leningrad we went to house; the exit from the house via their hands. That is just what I the Rebbe’s house but were sorry the steps of a different building where they had kept the original steps; and only did the part of leaving the building from the SHE DISCOVERED SHE IS JEWISH original place, at Machavaya 22, When the wife of Mr. Daniel Nikolin, the editor of the films, because the exit from the building came with her husband to visit the Kogan family, she was stunned to to the street remained unchanged. discover that Mrs. Kogan brought back family memories of her We had special Divine help for grandmother’s house, that being her maternal grandmother. the scenes of going into exile. We She was very moved and shared her feelings with Mrs. Kogan. went to the station at seven in the Mrs. Kogan encouraged her to examine her roots and within a short evening, at the time that everybody time the woman discovered that she was Jewish. is coming home from work and This discovery created an upheaval in the family. The woman the station is full. I walked with began taking an interest in Judaism and her son, who of course is the producer over to the Jewish too, also began taking an interest and asked about doing a policeman in charge of the station, circumcision. introduced ourselves as producers I met Mr. Nikolin in New York. He came to conduct a series of of a film, and asked that he clear interviews for the third film. He said that this series changed his an area of 100 meters on the train approach to life. “I discovered that not everybody is a hypocrite. platform so we could reconstruct There are some genuine people who are ready to sacrifice their lives the scene. for their faith, not just in theory.” We told him that we had just The most exciting moments for him were filming within the finished filming in Spalerka and if prison. When he rolled down the steps in order to show Rabbi we got police permission to film Kogan what to do, and then he rolled down with the camera – “This there, he would surely want to part when I experienced physical discomfort from the fall was the help us too. This last comment part that connected me to the series more than any other segment. I impressed him. Like all residents felt that I was touching that same of Leningrad, he knew how tight heroism and managed to feel a drop of security was at Spalerka, and it.” realized that if we had gotten The most exciting part though, was permission to film there, this must when one of the interviewees told him be an important film. about his years in Siberia. He asked He immediately called the how he had survived it and the Chassid police commander of Leningrad said: I pictured the Rebbe and this gave and told him about our special me the strength to carry on and live. request, while noting that we had “Those words of the Chassid gave been allowed to film in Spalerka. me a powerful drive to continue and Rabbi Kogan Apparently, the police commander produce the series.” with Mr. Nikolin was also impressed that we had

 1ES>Q #'1 +-1&' !& going to die al kiddush Hashem, and I am sure that with the power of this mesirus nefesh, our children will continue to fight the Rebbe’s war and win!” We see bachurim from Yeshivas Tiferes Bachurim, going to the place where the Chassidim were killed and saying Kaddish. They represent, more than anything else, the continuation of the Rebbe’s work and the outstanding success of Lubavitch which emerged victorious over the communists. Some of part 2 will deal with the present too and will tell of the children of those who were killed and about their work in spreading the wellsprings of Chassidus around the world. We see the children of those Chassidim who Rabbi Kogan with the producer and the production team died for Judaism in Russia, who today are shluchim of the Rebbe, been allowed to do so, and he Leningrad. At the end of part two, preparing the world for Moshiach. immediately told the office in after the Chassidim have been The third film is about charge of the train station to killed, we hear the final words of escaping from Russia via accede to all our requests. Rabbi Yitzchok Raskin to the tune Lvov/Lemberg in 1947. We What can we expect to see in of “Keil Malei Rachamim”: interviewed some of the leaders parts 2 and 3 of the series? “In previous times, when who were active at that time and The second film is about the soldiers attacked a city to conquer discovered new and exciting mesirus nefesh of Chassidim, and it, the soldiers in the front rows details about the period Chassidim focuses on ten Chassidim who would fall and the soldiers behind called, “The Exodus From Russia were killed within a short time in them would pass over them and – 1947.” the winter of 5698/1938 in conquer the city. We are now

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#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  JLPEF>@E DDBRI> ‘YECHI’ REVEALS MOSHIACH AS ‘WE HAVE SEEN’ SANCTIFIES THE MOON

By Rabbi Sholom Dovber HaLevi Wolpo Translated By Michoel Leib Dobry

In response to requests by our readers, we now present the next segment from “V’Torah Yevakshu MiPihu,” Rabbi Sholom Dovber HaLevi Wolpo’s seifer on the Rebbe’s teachings regarding Chabad chassidus, its approach to emuna, and its various customs.

Thus, Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi told concealment, there comes “the revealed even before our physical Rabbi Chiya to send him the sign of union of the sun and moon,” eyes, and Malka M’shicha will come “Dovid Melech Yisroel Chai revealing the root and source of to restore the kingdom of Dovid as V’Kayam,” because we also see the Malchus D’Atzilus in the supernal in the days of yore, to the original same matter regarding the kingdom level of Kesser. This comes about reign in actual deed. of Dovid – that at the time of the specifically through “for your seat Thus, the sign of “Dovid Melech greatest concealment, not only has will be vacant” (yifaked), which Yisroel Chai V’Kayam” comes to the seat of the “king” from the arouses the aspect of “and you will teach us (on the matter of the new House of Dovid been made vacant, be remembered” (v’nifkadta). moon) as is taught (regarding the but also of the “nasi” during the Furthermore, we can say that is kingdom of Dovid), just as we find time of the exile. For the leader of the reason for the precise language regarding the testimony on the new the generation does not appear “Dovid Melech Yisroel Chai moon that when the witnesses testify before our eyes, to the point that he V’Kayam,” i.e., despite the “We have seen” through their inner is called by the name “the fallen concealment, we know that knowledge (“even if they didn’t sukka of Dovid” (Amos 9:11, see specifically now Dovid Melech see”), this testimony is accepted by the Malbim’s commentary on the Yisroel “lives,” for at the time of the the rabbinical court, and thus “the pasuk), and “bar nafli” (Sanhedrin concealment, Dovid receives the seeing of the moon is fulfilled in 96b). It is specifically then that loftiest strength and vitality. Thus, it the world,” and the month is Moshiach receives from Above the is assured that he will be “v’kayam,” sanctified before all. Similarly, we loftiest of spiritual strengths, for meaning “rising,” “[he] had an find regarding the kingdom of Dovid through the nullification and elevation,” i.e., the new moon will be and the revelation of Moshiach,

 1ES>Q #'1 +-1&' !& brings about “the revelation of the When Jews stubbornly open their eyes, existence of Melech HaMoshiach.” As a result, the month is testifying with the call of “Yechi immediately sanctified for the entire HaMelech” and “Shlita” on what they Jewish People, to the point that “the moon exists in its fullness,” i.e., the see with their inner knowledge, thereby light of the True and Complete Redemption is revealed in the world “the seeing of Moshiach is fulfilled in in actual deed, and everyone believes that he is the Righteous Redeemer, the world.” and they see with their very eyes that he is chai v’kayam, and they when Jews stubbornly open their knowledge and feeling at “Ain proclaim before him: Yechi Adoneinu eyes, testifying with the call of Tav,” thereby “the seeing of Moreinu v’Rabbeinu melech “Yechi HaMelech” and “Shlita” on Moshiach is fulfilled in the world.” HaMoshiach l’olam va’ed! what they see with their inner In the words of the Rebbe shlita, it

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#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  CB>QROB TIFERES BACHURIM

By Shneur Zalman Berger

too, and this was called Tiferes In addition to the network of Bachurim. The young men, some of underground yeshivos that the Rebbe them children of Chassidim, learned Torah and Chassidus in the Rayatz founded in Russia, he also afternoon or evening. Most importantly, they continued to established a network of yeshivos called absorb the atmosphere of Torah, Chassidishe “dibbuk chaverim,” and Tiferes Bachurim for young men who mutual support. This is what the Rebbe Rayatz were working or in university and wrote about this organization in a wanted to remain connected to a letter dated the fifth night of Chanuka 5689: Jewish-Chassidic learning atmosphere. This association is for young men from the ages of 18-20 and * The two yeshiva networks were very above, and married men, until about the age of 35-40, most of successful and influential. * An whom are craftsmen, businessmen, and workers in factories or trades. overview of Tiferes Bachurim, The rules of the association are presented for the Yom Hilula of Yud that they gather at a set time every day to learn for an hour and the Shvat. * Part 1 of 2 curriculum is Parsha – Chumash with Rashi, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch. Some learn Gemara and When speaking about the This was not suitable for many strengthen their Shabbos personality and work of the Rebbe young men who could not sit and observance and their observance of Rayatz, the words “mesirus nefesh” learn all day yet still wanted to study Family Purity. and “harbatzas ha’Torah” Torah and remain within the fold. This association is in many immediately come to mind, and for Some of them worked, some places in Russia, thanks to G-d, good reason. One of the projects for attended universities and preparatory and the participants are university which the Rebbe Rayatz was moser schools, and some just could not sit students, doctors, lawyers, etc. This nefesh was maintaining a network of and learn an entire day. They too association has led to several good yeshivos Tomchei T’mimim were precious to the Rebbe Rayatz, things in strengthening religion for, throughout greater Russia in the the Nasi Yisroel, who was concerned thank G-d, signs of life are darkest of times. about every Jew. It was obvious to apparent in many young people The Rebbe enlisted melamdim, him that even these young men who when it comes to Jewish matters. maggidei shiur, and menahalim, and were not fully able to devote An association like this was started branches in dozens of cities themselves to Torah study had to founded for the Bucharian Jews of and towns, in order to preserve learn Torah as much as they could. Samarkand and elsewhere, and in Judaism and Chassidus. The Many know stories about the Georgia, in Kutais, Tiflis and T’mimim sat and learned in dark underground yeshivos Tomchei elsewhere. And thank G-d, it has cellars, in hiding, and learned Torah T’mimim, but few know that a borne good fruits. and Chassidus from morning till special program was started to We can see what a far-reaching night. provide for the needs of other boys impact Tiferes Bachurim had from

 1ES>Q #'1 +-1&' !& another journal entry (5689/1929) were completely under its influence. in their faith and were ready to that the Rebbe wrote, in which he This ‘chinuch’ was accompanied by sacrifice themselves to fulfill mitzvos. enumerates the groups of Tiferes pressure on the part of the teachers, “There were also those who Bachurim in Moscow, Leningrad, the environment and the Komsomol, received a Jewish chinuch at home Minsk, Vitebsk, Nevel, Veliz, Kiev whose joint goal was to cut off the and still kept religion and tradition, and Homil. There were about 600 roots of Judaism among these boys, but were not strong enough in their bachurim in all. to sever all ties that connected them faith and feelings and needed Rabbi Shlomo Yosef Zevin wrote with religion and tradition and the support and encouragement. For an interesting review of the Jewish way of life. example, I remember Dr. Boruch organization, speaking about its “These years of education in the Shilansky who was born and raised great importance. “Lots of credit is government system led to most in an intellectual and anti-religious due to the Tiferes Bachurim youth going astray from Judaism. home yet from his childhood association for its work among the Many of them even became its inclined towards Judaism and the youth who are in business or crafts enemies. They would go all out to fulfillment of mitzvos. He fought or general studies in school.” assault the Jewish street and they hard for his beliefs within his family. As for the type of bachurim who wreaked havoc there. They worked Each one with his personality.” participated, we can read about that to close shuls and chadarim, publicly In his review of the work of in the memoirs of R’ Emanuel mocked the holidays, disparaged all Tiferes Bachurim, Rav Zevin Michlin (“HaGachelet”): the mitzvos and desecrated all that expresses his amazement over the “The Jewish youth in Moscow, was holy. But here and there, there attraction of the youth to learn like youth in all other cities in the were Jewish men who stood firm as Torah, although they had officially country, were entirely or mostly a rock to preserve Judaism, and left that framework: caught in the net of the government during these times of shmad, they “We thought that all the youth in schools and education system, and strengthened themselves even more our country had gone away from

A yeshiva in Moscow in the 1930’s

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  traditional Judaism and there only there. It was in this shul that they rounded hem,” recalled R’ Emanuel remained those who were educated found a nest that had true Jewish Michlin. “It was apparent, even at in the yeshivos. Who would have sincerity, penetrating to the soul. first glance, that he is person with thought that there would be a large Until they joined forces, they were much internal cargo and great percentage of those youth who work isolated stalks, each one and his spiritual potential, above the norm in various positions and who attend small world. Each one yearned to among yeshiva bachurim. Aside from university or are in business and the leave his isolation and become part this, he also had a broad secular like that would form into bands and of the group, to feel the shoulder of knowledge. I soon saw that he is the organized groups for the purpose of his friend, to join with him in his leader and captain of all the young learning Torah for set hours every feelings, viewpoints, and way of life, men and he is both their friend and evening? and to stand together, in one band, guide. “But facts are facts. In Vitebsk, against those who oppose and revile “In 1922, during Sukkos, he Moscow, Leningrad, Minsk, Nevel, us, who did all they could to uproot organized the association of youth Samarkand, etc., youth gathered in our faith. We too, my brother and I, called Tiferes Bachurim, whose associations of Tiferes Bachurim and joined them and soon felt as one general aim is to strengthen the had ongoing shiurim in Talmud, with them.” Judaism of its members, and for this Mishnayos, Ein Yaakov, Midrash, Who headed the organization? purpose, to create a new Shulchan Aruch, etc. One cannot Who gathered the bachurim and atmosphere, to learn together, to daven together, to celebrate together and even just for recreation. “Who was this leader? He was a Their was pressure on the part of the young rav, still unmarried, R’ Yaakov Landau, a student and protégé of teachers, the environment and the the yeshiva in Lubavitch. He excelled Komsomol, whose joint goal was to cut above the rest of the talmidim in various ways and was beloved to the off the roots of Judaism among these Rebbe, the Admur R’ Sholom Ber Schneersohn zt”l, and was close to boys, to sever all ties that connected him, more than all the other students. His Rebbe, the great them with religion and tradition and luminary, imbued him with the depth of his innermost soul-feelings, the Jewish way of life. the strength of his faith as well as with his power of influence. estimate how valuable Tiferes took it upon himself to worry “R’ Yaakov Landau began to Bachurim is, whether to the about their learning and growth? realize his dream, to unite these bachurim themselves as well as to From the Rebbe Rayatz’s letter to youth. He found a pathway to their the rest of the youth and the Rabbi Yaakov Landau, dated 27 hearts, but was especially close with residents of that city where the Cheshvan 5688, we see that the task three of them: Dr. Boruch Shilansky association is to be found. They have fell on Rav Landau’s shoulders: and two Moscow university students all the warm enthusiasm of youth My lofty and greatly respected – Meir Roginsky and Moshe and all the dynamic energy of young friend, of fame and distinction, Rav Breslavsky (today Bar Sela in Israel). people who are devoted to their Yaakov Landau, who for four years The first was not outstanding in his association, their work, and their worked on founding and leading knowledge but was an oved Hashem learning.” the Tiferes Bachurim associations. who had kabbalas ol and was drawn Once again we go to the Rav Landau put in a lot of work to mitzvos. The other two learned memoirs of R’ Emanuel Michlin, as to produce upstanding and blessed and acquired knowledge and were he describes his first encounter with generations within the framework of strong in their Judaism to the point a group from Tiferes Bachurim: Tiferes Bachurim and he left a of mesirus nefesh. Though they were “When I arrived in Moscow and powerful impression on the but a small part of the religious went to the Lubavitchers’ shul, talmidim. Jewish intelligentsia, they had which stood out from all the rest in “From all the young people, one influence over their friends and its wonderful warmth, its character especially stands out. He has a beard served as examples to them. and atmosphere, I saw these youth and wears a black frock coat with a “These three were the

 1ES>Q #'1 +-1&' !& The Rebbe Rayatz cornerstone of the entire association and helped R’ Yaakov Landau in his important work. The association had Lubavitch character, with the overall influence coming from R’ Yosef Yitzchok Schneersohn zt”l, who lived and worked not far from Moscow, in Leningrad. “What did the association do? First of all, there were frequent meetings, every day in fact. The meetings and constant contact gave every one of the members the feeling of closeness, and they no longer felt themselves like a ship alone in the heart of the storm. This environment served as help and counsel, to satisfy one’s personal desires for friends, for recreation, and as a fence and protection for one’s Judaism as well as its improvement through learning and acquiring necessary knowledge. “The association had a number of principles and slogans: 1) First and foremost, the association was a religious organization and religion was the only motivation for founding and maintaining it. 2) The primary slogan was: ‘Be a complete Jew in your tents and a complete Jew when you go out,’ which was in opposition to the slogan of the early maskilim, who said, ‘Be a complete Jew in your tents and a man when you go out,’ which meant observe Judaism within the walls of your home, and outside, among others, act like everybody else. “These maskilim surely did not stop with being a man when you go out but acted that way in their homes as well, making great concessions. Woe to such a ‘complete Jew’ and his poor lot. “When we first started out, we were 16 bachurim, most of us single and among us great intellectuals – doctors and engineers. The ages ranged from 18 to over 30. I was an exception as I was not yet 18. My young age caused serious problems and could have caused trouble for the entire association and for all its

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  members, since the law stated that “We also learned Chassidus from HaShoeiva and then Simchas Torah teaching religion was not forbidden the Alter Rebbe’s Tanya, and every with joy, elevation of spirit, and the for students 18 and up. In other Shabbos, between Mincha and throwing off a foreign yoke. words, it was indeed forbidden for Maariv, during the time for the third Beforehand, we spent the entire those under 18. meal, we heard a maamer Chassidus Hoshana Raba night in shul, reciting “Even though our joint studies – of the Admurei Chabad from R’ the Tikkun and singing niggunim which I will tell about soon – could Yaakov Landau, and we sang ‘B’nei during the breaks. In the evening, not be termed ‘teaching,’ this law Heichala’ and other Chabad we sat down to an intense enabled the government to label our niggunim that did not merely pull at farbrengen until late and only then activities in any way it saw fit in the heart but were actually service of began hakafos which lasted until order to incriminate us and accuse the heart’ for us. midnight and more. That was how the organization of being illegal. “The celebrations on Purim, we did it all the years. Still, I remained in the association Simchas Beis HaShoeiva, and “Our hakafos acquired a and it was only when I turned 18 Simchas Torah, as well as other reputation and young people from that the problem was solved. holidays and other happy events, various parts of the city came to see “We would get together every were very important to us. We spent it and to be warmed by the light. evening in the Lubavitch shul at a time singing moving niggunim, in Many of them became so set time and we learned for two dancing, and drinking mashke too. enthusiastic that they left us as new hours and davened Maariv together. We experienced these celebrations men, with far-reaching changes in What did we learn and based on with an outpouring of feeling and a their attitudes and behavior. Some what principles were they chosen? deep appreciation for the of them did not want to leave us but They were chosen for the general significance of the day through talks joined our group. We accepted them and basic purpose of our association that we heard from R’ Yaakov with love. – ‘to be complete Jews,’ to accept Landau; the simcha flooded our “Of course, we were interested in upon ourselves the yoke of mitzvos heart. It was real avoda of the heart increasing the numbers of our group and to fulfill religious life in the which made a strong impression on and we did various things to this spirit of our fathers. In accordance us and whose echoes we heard long end. Sometimes we held a party in a with this goal, practical Judaism and after. shul in order to draw the attention care in mitzvos were the main thing. “The most impressive celebration of the youth, if they were there, and That was the body of our Judaism. was Purim Katan in the year to draw them to us. Sometimes, a “As for viewpoints, faith, and 5687/1927 when the Rebbe stayed representative of ours would go, me feelings of the heart, they are its in Moscow and honored us with his included, to a certain shul to make soul. For that purpose, two essential presence at a farbrengen that we contact with the youth. In this way, works were chosen by R’ Yaakov made in his honor. He sat at our we were able to draw in several of Landau: the Shulchan Aruch – so we gathering and spoke to us and spent them. would know what to do, and Ein several hours with us … In this way, “We did not want to suffice with Yaakov – because Chazal say, ‘if you the Rebbe displayed how important those 18 and older. We wanted want to recognize the One Who said Tiferes Bachurim was to him. younger boys, 15-16, in order to and the world came to be, study “It wasn’t only this time, that block the way to licentiousness and Agada.’ R’ Yaakov delved deeply into Purim, when the Rebbe showed us throwing off the yoke. Although they the Agada, very deep, in order to his love and closeness to us. When came from religious and traditional plumb its true meaning and to he visited Moscow in the years to families, they were exposed to benefit from the light-source within. come, even when the visit was short enticements. We started a branch for “There were times that he tarried and he did not receive all those who them, but since the authorities over a short aphorism and spoke wished to see him, for us, the would consider this illegal, and it about it for half an hour or more. It members of Tiferes Bachurim, he would endanger the entire was actually a serious lecture with a held a reception and graced us with association and its members, we did great deal of substance on a his luminosity and refinement. Our it in a low-key manner. This is why particular topic which was expressed inner growth is what gave us we did not include them in our daily in very concise terms by Chazal. satisfaction and joy that burst forth learning and meetings, and found Aside from this, we also touched on on holidays, especially on Simchas other ways and means to influence G-dly philosophy when we studied Torah. them and guide them.” Rambam, Chovos HaLevovos, “We celebrated the days of [To be continued be”H] Kuzari, etc. Sukkos and the Simchas Beis

 1ES>Q #'1 +-1&' !& VRAPPES>Q THE SUN SET AND THE SUN ROSE Memories of the passing of the Rebbe Rayatz By Rebbetzin Sima Ralbag

At the end of 5709, shortly with him about what to do and how country from the deputy Minister of before the Rebbe Rayatz’s passing, to publicize the news among Anash Education, Dr. Deitsch, to he established a new administration in Yerushalayim. This was an era of commemorate the memory of the for Kollel Chabad in Yerushalayim. limited and responsible Rebbe Rayatz and to take note of his The administration was comprised communications (not the open, self-sacrifice and his conduct in of Rabbi Zevin, Rabbi Naeh, Rabbi raucous, and irresponsible type of communist Russia. All segments of Rosenblum, and my father, Rabbi our times). They didn’t even tell Jewish life commemorated his Ezriel Zelig Slonim, who was their households but asked R’ Zevin memory with great respect. appointed as the director of Kollel how to publicize the news. Only Anash felt like mourners, but my Chabad. then, did they slowly and carefully father, a Chassid who was utterly The center of Chabad in Eretz tell the terrible news of the passing devoted to Beis Rebbe, called an Yisroel was in Tel Aviv at that time. of the Rebbe Rayatz. urgent meeting for the Shloshim of There was a core Chabad The electronic media as well as all of Anash, in the offices of Kollel community that had emigrated from the written type back then were Chabad, in order to begin signing up Chabad centers in Russia and from limited and contained only a few Anash on a writ of hiskashrus to the Lubavitch. This community, where pages. Broadcasts were not Rebbe. A call went out from Kollel the lions of the group lived, radiated constantly heard and they did not Chabad in Yerushalayim to all of Chassidic light. As for Kfar Chabad, publicize many events. Most houses Anash to participate in signing on you hardly heard about it. Just a few did not have telephones, but the this request for nesius, a k’sav weeks earlier, refugees from Russia news got around. Notices were hiskashrus to the Rebbe. had arrived in “Safraya” which was posted by Kollel Chabad, Aguch, and All felt that baruch Hashem, nothing but an abandoned Arab the (few) yeshivos. There were also there is a Rebbe, someone who village. It later became Kfar Chabad. announcements for everyone to would carry on the leadership. The Rebbe Rayatz passed away convene at four o’clock in the People were greatly enthused and on Yud Shevat 5710, which was central and only shul at that time, inspired. Later on there were Shabbos. With communications at the Chabad shul in Meah Shearim. national gatherings, which were a the time being they were, the sad Anash who lived in the valley, went rarity in those days, to write a k’sav news arrived first on Sunday night to the Chabad shul on Nachalat hiskashrus to the Rebbe. Anash in via a telegram sent to the director of Binyamin street in Tel Aviv. Eretz Yisroel joined Anash in the US Aguch, Rabbi Moshe Gurary, who Men, women and children, and together they begged the Rebbe lived in Tel Aviv. Rav Gurary was including many admirers of Chabad to accept the nesius, since he called the “maskil” since he was a or those who had Chabad adamantly refused to accept it all big maskil in Chassidus. backgrounds, convened and sat on year. When R’ Gurary received the the ground together and tore their The year of mourning came to an telegram, he exerted his mind over clothes. Rabbi Zevin spoke briefly end. It was Yud Shvat 5711. The his heart and waited until the and people were very emotional. yearning for the kabbalas ha’nesius following morning before going to On the final day of the Shiva, an was finally realized for the Rebbe Yerushalayim, to his friend from announcement went out to all the accepted the nesius! Lubavitch days, my father, to consult chareidi and dati schools in the

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  JLPEF>@E DDBRI> A DAILY DOSE OF MOSHIACH & GEULA Collected and arranged by Rabbi Pinchas Maman; Translated by Michoel Leib Dobry

4 SHVAT: LITERALLY IN THE STAGE OF THE REDEMPTION aspect of chochma: “And he was the wisest of all men.” In this capacity, all the wisdoms of the gentiles were essentially nullified In our generation and in our times, according to the signs of in relation to the wisdom of Shlomo – not through war, but a the sayings of our Sages, of blessed memory (Tractate resemblance of the complete state of peace of the Future to Sanhedrin, Midrashim, etc.), we are already literally at the stage Come. This concept pertains to the most complete aspect of of the Redemption. malchus. Furthermore, as has been discussed many times recently, (excerpt from a sicha of the Rebbe MH”M) after the sizable amount of our deeds and avoda throughout all the generations, particularly after the avoda of our Rebbeim…up 8 SHVAT: THE LEADER OF THE GENERATION IS MOSHIACH to the avoda of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe, leader of TZIDKEINU the generation – all of the birurim have already been completed. The leader of the generation is “Moshiach”…beginning with (Shabbos Parshas VaYeitzei 5752) the simple interpretation of “Moshiach” (“Moshiach Hashem”) 5 SHVAT: THE TIME AND SIGNS OF THE REDEMPTION – derived from mashuach (anointed)…and there will be no MIRACLES AND WONDERS IN THE CHANGE OF REGIMES offense taken, if they interpret “Moshiach” in the simplest sense – Moshiach Tzidkeinu – as this is the truth: the leader of the Large and strong countries continue to change the order of generation is the Moshiach of the generation. their regime and government for the better – goodness, justice, …even those who claim that such an approach and such and honesty (including in relation to the Jewish People, granting descriptive titles are beyond their ability to grasp intellectually, it freedom in everything connected with matters of Yiddishkait, makes no difference whether they have the ability to grasp this Torah, and mitzvos). or not, and there is no time to wait until the matter can be This phenomenon serves as a resemblance and preparation grasped through their power of intellect. to the repair and completion of the world in the days of (Simchas Torah 5746) Moshiach. …This is one of the miracles and wonders occurring 9 SHVAT: THE NAME OF MOSHIACH OF THE GENERATION IS throughout the world, revealed for all to see, which resemble the MENACHEM miracles and wonders of the Future Redemption, regarding which it is said (Micha 7:15), “As the days of your going out So it will be with us in actual deed, immediately mamash, from the land of Egypt, I will show you wonders.” with all the interpretations of “miyad” (immediately), (including the acronyms of the overall generations – Moshe, Yisroel (the (Shabbos Parshas B’Reishis 5751) Baal Shem Tov), Dovid (Malka Meshicha).* 6 SHVAT: THE TIME AND SIGNS OF THE REDEMPTION - THE *FN 148: To be more specific in relation to our generation, FULFILLMENT OF THE CONCEPT OF T’SHUVA the acronym “miyad” alludes to the three time periods pertaining to my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe, leader of the Thus, at the conclusion of this era, without the slightest generation, and according to the order of proximity to us: possible doubt, the time of the Redemption has surely already Moshiach (Menachem is his name), Yosef Yitzchak, Dovber arrived…and in the words of our Sages, of blessed memory (the second name of the Rebbe [Rashab], nishmaso Eden). (Sanhedrin 97b), “All the appointed times have been (Shabbos Parshas Mishpatim 5752 – boldface in the original) completed.” Furthermore, even the concept of t’shuva (as in the saying 10 SHVAT – THE YAHRTZAIT OF THE REBBE RAYATZ AND THE “The matter [the Redemption] depends only upon t’shuva”) has BEGINNING OF THE NESIUS OF THE REBBE SHLITA MH”M: been fulfilled, including the realization of “Moshiach comes to THE AVODA OF OUR GENERATION – COMPLETING THE bring the tzaddikim to repentance” (Zohar III 153b), from the vantage point of the spark of Moshiach within every Jew.” DRAWING DOWN OF THE MAIN ASPECT OF THE SH’CHINA (Shabbos Parshas Balak 5751) INTO OUR WORLD Thus, it is demanded from each and every one of us, the 7 SHVAT: MELECH HA’MOSHIACH – THE ASPECTS OF seventh generation, for all sevenths are beloved, notwithstanding MALCHUS AND CHOCHMA the fact that we are not the seventh generation by our own The Rambam writes that Melech HaMoshiach will be from choice nor through our avoda, and in several matters, it is the House of Dovid and from the seed of Shlomo. possibly not as we wished. From the House of Dovid – the main aspect of malchus, for Nevertheless, all sevenths are beloved, for we are in the since Dovid was anointed, he merited the crown of kingship, Heels of Moshiach and at the conclusion of the Heels, and the and the sovereignty belonged to him and his seed forever. avoda is to complete the drawing down of the Sh’china, and not From the seed of Shlomo (in its inner sense): The days of just the Sh’china, but the main aspect of the Sh’china – and Shlomo bore a resemblance to the state of the True and specifically into the lower worlds. Complete Redemption. Peace reigned in his time, for which (maamer, Basi L’Gani 5711) reason he was called Shlomo. Shlomo possessed the fullest

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