Chabad Chodesh Elul 5774

Volume 24, Issue 6

CONGREGATION LEVI YI TZCHOK CHABAD OF HANCOCK PARK 5774/2014 Elul

We begin to blow the the blow (except Shabbos) Shacharis. after to begin We Baal the from Shem Tov. received custom a Kippur, say Tehilim to begin We Chodesh DayRosh Elul Second 27/Wednesday 1/August Elul 5582 [1822]. Rebbe, Alter the of son Avraham, Chayim R. and Rebbe of Wedding Rashi) the receive Rabeinu Moshe Plague ofLiceinMitzrayim. blowing thepractice Shofar. we day the During Minchah. and Shacharis say to begin We Chodesh Elul First DayRosh 26/Tuesday30/August AvMenachem S of Tosfos Yom Tov on Mishnayos, 5414 5414 Mishnayos, on Tov [1654]. Yom Tosfos of of Yartzeit 31/Sunday 5/August Elul [353 BCE]. 3408 1:1) (Chagai HaMikdash, Beis Second Chagai for year of (Rosh HaShanah 2a) annual HaShanah) determining (Rosh day from them First for down came heaven") [Tosafos, Brachos 17a]. fire THEM of pillar of of beginning Amoraim, each later the of days the In that powers contain... one ten blow the and powers, ten we the awaken to HaShanah hundred Rosh on Nefesh; the of powers ten the paralleling Shabbos, on PECIAL Chodesh Kalah Chodesh "In Elul we blow ten blasts daily, except except daily, blasts ten blow we Elul "In

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Yartzeit of R. Tzadok HaKohen of 1930. (See Letters of the Previous and if he desires to be lit in the Lublin, Chasidic leader and Rebbe, Vol. 2, which speaks about light of life..") [Beis Rebbe] thinker, author of Pri Tzadik, 5660 the work that the Rebbe did in [1900]. America.) Elul 15/September 10/Wednesday Yartzeit of R. Yaakov Kopel Chosid Elul 10/September 5/Friday Elul 13/September 8/Monday of Kolomay, student of the Baal Noach sent out the raven. (Rashi, Yartzeit of R. Yaakov Yisroel of Shem Tov, and the Chazan in his Bereishis, 8:5). Czerkass, son of R. Mordechai of Beis Midrash, founder of Kosov- Czernobyl, son-in-law of the Vizhnitz Chassidus, 5529 [1769]. Yartzeit of R. Pinchas Shapira of Mitteler Rebbe, 5636 [1876]. Korets, student of the Baal Shem The Russian government decreed Tov, author of Midrash Pinchas, Wedding of the previous the drafting of Jewish boys at the 5550 [1790]. Lubavitcher Rebbe and Rebbitzen age of twelve to be sent to military Nechamah Dinah, 5657 [1897]. school until eighteen, and then to Wedding of Rebbitzen Chayah serve in the Czar's army for twenty Mushka, daughter of the Rebbe Yartzeit of R. Yosef Chayim of -five years, 5587 [1827]. Some MaHaRaSh, with R. Moshe Baghdad, the "Ben Ish Chai", 100,000 Jewish boys became HaKohen Hornstein, 5652 [1892]. Sephardic Posek and Kabbalist, cantonists. (The Mitteler Rebbe author of Ben Ish Chai, Od Yosef spoke about this decree the week Elul 11/September 6/Shabbos Chai, Rav Pealim, Ben Yehoyada before his passing and said a R. Yosef Karo finished his Beis and Mekabtziel, (one of the first Maamar, "To Understand The Yosef on the Tur, 4302 [1542] in Sephardic Poskim to cite the Alter Drafting of Soldiers From Tzfas, having begun in Rebbe's Shulchan Aruch), 5669 Israel" (printed in Migdal Oz, p. Adrianapole, Turkey in 4282 [1909]. 399). [1522]. Elul 14/September 9/Tuesday The Tzemach Tzedek organized a Yartzeit of R. Simchah Bunim of The Previous Rebbe moved from group to fight the conscription Pyrschyscha, Chasidic Rebbe and Riga, Latvia, to Warsaw, Poland, law: they helped communities thinker, author of Kol Simchah, 5693 (1933). He stayed there for negotiate for lower quotas, paid 5587 [1827]. two years. In the Summer of 1935 ransoms to free them, sent people he moved to the suburb of Otwosk. to comfort the children at assembly Wedding of the Rebbe RaShaB and (Letters of the Friediker Rebbe Vol. points and encouraged them to be the Rebbitzen Sterna Sarah, 5635 13, pg. 282). loyal to Judaism. (Some in this [1875]. The wedding took place in group were imprisoned). The the city of Ursht, where the Kallah Yartzeit of Rebbetzin Chaya Tzemach Tzedek himself met with lived. The Rebbe Maharash did not Mushka Hornstein, youngest the cantonists, spoke with them travel to the wedding, during that daughter of the Rebbe Maharash, and said two Maamarim for them. week he said 32 ma’amarim. who was killed in Treblinka, 5702 When the Rebbe RaShab came (1942) (Sefer Ma’amorim 5711, The Rebbe RaShaB founded back his father told him he has a pg. 106, letter of the Rebbe). The Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim, 5657 wedding present for him, and that Rebbe would recite Kaddish. [1897] during the Seudah of the was the 32 ma’amarim. wedding, Sheva Brochos for the Yartzeit of R. Boruch Mordechai Friediker Rebbe. The Rebbe Rashab Elul 12/September 7/Sunday Ettinge of Bobroisk, great Chassid said, “For years I was worried, and Birthday of the Ramban, R. Moshe of the Alter Rebbe, Mitteler Rebbe, full of pain from the spiritual level, b. Nachman, 4954 [1194], and Tzemach Tzedek, 5612 and the dryness of Chassidum. My Gerona, Spain. [1852]. He had been a student of heart was bleeding, every time I the Gaon of Vilna and was the son- visited the Ohel of my fathers, our The Previous Lubavitcher Rebbe in-law of R. Shmuel, the Av Beis holy Rebbes, I poured out my bitter visited America, for the first time, Din of Vilna. He settled in heart for the standard of 5689 [1929]. He visited several Yerushalayim a year before his Chassidim, and Chassidus. cities to strengthen Yiddishkeit, passing. (He is buried next to the Summer 5656 (1896) I was in the and was received by President Or HaChayim HaKadosh; the holy Ohelim of the Holy Ba’al Hoover at the White House. He Mitteler Rebbe had written of his Shem Tov, the Magid of Mezritch, stayed for almost a complete year, desire to move to Eretz Yisrael, "… the Alter Rebbe and the Mitteler until the 21st of Tammuz 5690,

VOLUME 24, ISSUE 6 Page 2 Rebbe, and coming back to the Baal Shem Tov, founder of Maamar." [Letter of the Rebbe, Lubavitch to the Ohel of my grand Chassidus, 5458, [1698]. 5704, Likutei Sichos, Vol. 24, p. -father the Tzemach Tzedek and 518] my father the Rebbe Maharash. In 5484 [1724], (The Baal Shem "...It was privately observed by With their blessing I started to plan Tov's twenty-sixth birthday) the Rebbeim as a spiritual festival, a Yeshiva which will raise Achiyah Ha-Shiloni first appeared when they would say a Maamar to Chassidishe bochurim, with good to him. On this day in 5494 [1734] their sons alone...moreover this middos, who will give over their (his thirty-sixth birthday) he was being a tradition from my revered lives to the way of Chassidus with revealed as a Tzadik. On this day father [the Rebbe RaShaB] one Mesiras Nefesh. I am sure with the in 5504 [1744] the Baal Shem Tov thing is certain, on this day the Brochos from all those mentioned told R. Boruch, the Alter Rebbe's Baal Shem Tov speaks his words of above, the Yeshiva will be father, he would have a son in a Torah for his disciples and for their successful, and the light of Torah year. disciples and for all those whose and Avoda will shine on Jews souls are bound to them." [Sefer generally and by Chassidim Birthday of our Holy Master and HaMaamar-im, 5708. p. 292]. specifically. (Sefer Hasichos 5701, Teacher, R. Shneur Zalman b. "The greeting used by the Rebbe 1941, pg. 106) In another sicha Baruch, the Alter Rebbe, founder of RaShaB and the previous Rebbe on (Sefer Hasichos 5686, 1925, Chasidus Chabad, 5505 [1745]. Chai Elul was 'Gut Yom Tov.' [Sichah, Simchas Torah) the Friediker Chai Elul, 5703] Rebbe says, “My father when he Upsherenish of the Alter Rebbe by had to make the Yeshiva told me, the Baal Shem Tov, 5508 [1748]. The Mitteler Rebbe settled in ...Ten years I was thinking about "...Chai Elul is the day that Lubavitch, 5573 [1813]. It became making the Yeshiva, and I visited brings Chayus [life] into Elul" the center of Chabad Chassidus the Ohelim of my father and grand "From Chai Elul until Chai until Cheshvan 17, 5676 [1915] -father many times regarding it. Kislev, said the Rebbe MaHaRaSh, when the Rebbe RaShaB left for is for us [the Rebbeim] the three Rostov-on-Don. The name Tomchei Temimim was months of preparation for the given by the Rebbe Rashab, two Avodah of the Rosh HaShanah of Beginning of studies in the Yeshi- years later during Hakofos, 5659, Chassidus, the holy day of Yud-Tes vah. The first official day of 1896. Kislev." [Sichah, Chai Elul, 5705]. learning in Yeshiva Tomchei “...From Chai Elul are twelve Temimim 5657 [1897]. The Rebbe Elul 17/September 12/Friday days until Rosh HaShanah. The Rashab said, “I am kindling the Noach sent out the dove the first preparation must be an Ner Tamid of the Illuminators, time, (Bereishis 8:5). introspection about the twelve what the Ba’al Shem Tov and the months of the year, a day for every Rebbeim gave us, that it should be Roman garrison in Yerushalayim month." [Sefer HaSichos 5703, p. fulfilled the promise of “Yafutzu destroyed by Jewish insurgents, 177] mayonosecha chutzah” and the once a holiday (Megilas Taanis 6) "...From the time it became coming of Moshiach Tzid- [66]. known that Chai Elul is the keinu.” (Sefer Hasichos 5702, birthday of the Baal Shem Tov and 1942 pg. 133) Wedding of R. Boruch and of the Alter Rebbe, there's been the Rebbitzen Rivkah, parents of the custom in many places, and Jews who went up to Eretz Yisroel Alter Rebbe, 5503 [1743]. especially in Chabad Shuls, to against Moshe Rabeinu's orders make it a day of Farbrenging, and were defeated by Amalek, 2489 Beginning of World War II on 17 telling stories of Tzadikim, [1312 BCE] (BaMidbar 14:45) Elul, Sept 1st, 1939. strengthening the ways of Chassidim in general and Ahavas Yartzeit of R. Yehudah Loew b. The Lubavitcher Rebbe personally Yisroel in particular, and accepting Betzalel, the MaHaRaL of Prague, laid the cornerstone for the commitments in setting times for (the Alter Rebbe's great- expansion of 770, 5748 [1988]. Torah study, in Nigleh and grandfather), 5369 [1609]. Chassidus . . . The birthday is "...The MaHaRaL of Prague was Elul 18/September 13/Shabbos celebrated with a special the greatest genius of his time, a Birthday of our Holy Master and inspiration in the House of the Gaon in Nigleh and Nister, and Teacher, Rabbi Yisrael b. Eliezer, Rebbe, and the Rebbe speaks words philosophy, blessed with a gift in of inspiration in Torah and Avodah music, with a fine character, and and sometimes says a VOLUME 24, ISSUE 6 Page 3 above all a wonderful teacher who named for his great-grandfather, Shabbos Nitzavim/Vayelech, sanctified and established the R. Mordechai of Czernobyl and the 5750) Jewish customs in Klal Yisrael . . . Mitteler Rebbe. the guidance and education, said Elul 23/September 18/Thursday First day of Creation, 5775 years the Tzemach Tzedek, and Jewish Noach sent out the dove the second ago. customs that the MaHaRaL time. (Rashi, Bereishis, 8:5). sanctified and established in Klal Nechemiah completed rebuilding Yisrael stand above all the books Yartzeit of R. Uri of Starelisk "the the walls of Yerushalayim, 3426 he wrote. ." [Sefer HaSichos 5702, Saraf (Burning Angel)" Chassidic [335 BCE]. (Nechemiah 6:15 ) p. 73] leader, author of Imrei Kodesh, “…In Lubavitch we were very 5686 [1826]. Yartzeit of R. Elazar son of R. meticulous about customs and Shimon bar Yochai, 3862 [102]. especially the customs recieved Yartzeit of R. Meir Shlomo HaLevi from the MaHaRaL of Yanovsky, grandfather of the Yartzeit of R. Yechiel Michel of Prague.” [Sefer HaSichos 5704, p. Lubavitcher Rebbe, Chasid of the Zlotczov, student of the Baal Shem 7] Rebbe MaHaRaSh and Rebbe Tov, 5546 [1786]. It is known that RaShaB, Rav of Nikolayev. on the Histalkus of the Ba’al Shem Elul 19/September 14/Sunday Tov, Shavuos 5520, 1760, the Anti-Jewish riot in London at the Elul 24/September 19/Friday Ba’al Shem Tov called R. Yechiel coronation of Richard I; Yartzeit of Marriage of Dovid HaMelech and Michel and told him to sing his R. Yaakov of Orleans a Tosafist, BasSheva (Shalsheles HaKabalah). famous Nigun. The Ba’al Shem Tov student of Rabeinu Tam, who was said I promise that anyone who’ll killed, 4949 [1189]. Yartzeit of R. Yisroel Meir Kagan of sing this Nigun, of great Radin, author of Chafetz Chayim, awakening of mercy, with an The previous Lubavitcher Rebbe Mishnah Berurah and Shmiras awakening of Teshuvah, I will hear moved into 770 Eastern Parkway, HaLashon, 5693 [1933]. it in any place I may be (In Gan 5700 [1940]. Eden) and I will join him in the Zerubavel and the people of Yeru- singing and awaken great mercy Yartzeit of R. Yaakov HaLevi Segal shalayim begin clearing the Beis on the ba’al teshuvah that sings it. Moellin, "the MaHaRiL" of Ha-Mikdash site to build the This is accepted as the Nigun of Mayence, author of Minhagei Second Bayis, [520 BCE] (Chagai Hisorerus Rachamim Rabim. MaHaRiL, the primary source of 1:15). Minhagei Ashkenaz, 5187 [1427]. Bris of the Alter Rebbe, 5505 Elul 25/September 20/Shabbos [1745]. On that occasion the Baal Yartzeit of R. Yonasan Eybeschutz, Shabbos Selichos Shem Tov said to make a Seudah, author of Kereisi UFleisi, Urim and said Chassidus. VeTumim, Yaaros Devash, and We begin saying Selichos Motzei others, 5524 [1764]. Shabbos after midnight. Elul 28/September 22/Tuesday The third day of Selichos was set Elul 21/September 16/Tuesday We don't say Birkas Hachodesh; we aside by the Alter Rebbe to say The Previous Lubavitcher Rebbe do say Sefer Tehillim. Chassidus privately to the Mittler left Otvosk for Warsaw, at the "...The Alter Rebbe said: "I heard Rebbe and later, to the Tzemach outbreak of World War II, 5699 from the Mezeritcher Magid, in Tzedek. It was secret, and no one [1939]. the name of his teacher; The first knew of it. On the third day of Sel- month of the year HaShem himself ichos the Tzemach Tzedek would The Chanukas Habayis of 770, blesses on the last Shabbos of Elul. say a Maamar of the Alter Rebbe 5700. 1940. The Friediker Rebbe With this strength Israel blesses privately for the Rebbe MaHaRaSh, said a Ma’amar printed in the Sefer eleven times." (HaYom Yom) as did the Rebbe MaHaRaSh for the Hama’morim 5700, pg. 160. "...The blessing is that expressed Rebbe RaShaB. In 5655 (1895), the in the Parshah, which begins, "You Rebbe RaShaB said Chassidus to the Elul 22/September 17/Wednesday are all standing today". "Today", previous Lubavitcher Rebbe, and Yartzeit of R. Mordechai Dov Ber refers to Rosh Hashanah, the day of told him to keep it a secret until of Hornesteipel, grandson of the judgment; Jews are all "standing" - the time he would be told to reveal Mitteler Rebbe, author of Haemek victorious in judgment." (Sichah, it. (Sefer Maamarim 5705, p. 226; Sheelah, 5663 [1903]. He was Letter of the Rebbe, 5710). In 5705

VOLUME 24, ISSUE 6 Page 4 (1945), the previous Lubavitcher Rebbe said a Maamar on this day and asked that it be printed and Elul 29/September 24/Wednesday publicized. (See Sefer Hamaamarim) Erev Rosh Hashanah

Yartzeit of R. Noson Adler, Kabbalist and Rosh Yeshiva, * We do not blow Shofar today. teacher of the Chasam Sofer, author of Mishnah * Hataras nedorim. DiRabi Nasan, 5560 [1800] in Frankfort-on-Main. His * Pruzbul practice of Davening Nusach Sefarad, even as Chazan, * Eruv Tavshilin. is cited as an authoritative precedent, in Sefer HaMinhagim, p. 2. Birthday of our Holy Master and Teacher, R. Menachem Mendel b. Sholom Shachne, third Yartzeit of R. Shalom Rokeach of Belz, founder of Belz Lubavitcher Rebbe, "The Tzemach Tzedek," author of Chassidus, 5615 [1855]. R’ Chitrik writes in Volume 3 Tzemach Tzedek, 5549 [1789] in Liozna. (He was of Reshimas Devarim, one time the Rebbe Maharash named for R. Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk, who went to Belz, and he was dressed as a businessman. He passed away the year before.) The Alter Rebbe said a wanted to see the Tzaddik R’ Shalom of Belz. He sat in Maamar, which became the first three chapters of the far corner of the shul, where he could observe. Tanya. When R’ Shalom came in, it was very hard for him to see, his attendant was taking him to the head table, he The laws and customs of Erev Rosh HaShanah will pulled away and said he smells a very fine odor, he appear, B'Ezras HaShem, in the Tishrei issue. went to the Rebbe Maharash, and said to him, from me you can not hide. He asked him how his father the Rebbe, the Tzemach Tzedek is doing. Later he gave him May you be inscribed and sealed Sherayim and whispered to him the secret of giving Sherayim. (See Letters of the Rebbe, volume 2, pg. 324 for a good & sweet year and footnotes)

Elul: A Time For Cleansing The Blood

At the tender age of five the Mitteler Rebbe he had al- he found a group of young Chassidim gathered in ready completed the entire Tanach, mastering it by one of the outer rooms of the Alter Rebbe’s house. heart and, as he turned six, he began learning Gemo- The Chassidim were talking amongst themselves and rah under the tutelage of Reb Avrohom the Melamed. burst into laughter over a comment someone had made. When this little child turned to them and said Next door to Reb Avrohom lived a doctor, Reb Ber. In rebuking: “It is already deep into Elul, yet none of those days bloodletting was a common medical prac- you have prepared your leeches but rather sit around tice, often prescribed to treat a host of varying ail- and laugh!” He went on to explain, “It is the nature ments and complaints and it was for that purpose that of leeches to suck diseased and sickly blood out of the Reb Ber bred leeches. These bloodsucking animals body and to lower one’s blood pressure. Elul is a thrive in water and would have to be prepared in month or earnest reckoning and preparation for the warmer seasons, particularly in summer months. awe inspiring days of Rosh Hashonah. It behooves During the winter season they would dissolve in the each and every person to fashion his or her personal frigid water or bury themselves into inaccessible spots “leeches” in order to draw out the sinful blood that leaving the good doctor without this form of blood- rushes through the body and to quiet its boil.” After letting. these words the Mitteler Rebbe exited and retired to his room, leaving the Chassidim in an uproar. It once so happened that the doctor struck up a con- versation with Reb Avrohom the Melamed and the two The Mitteler Rebbe’s words had a profound impact. chatted amiably on the porch of Reb Avrohom’s house The Chassidim, knowledgeable of his extraordinary as the Mitteler Rebbe played in the yard. “Do you mental capabilities and mature nature, were certain know,” Reb Ber complained, “that we are already deep that these words had come from the Alter Rebbe him- into the month of Elul? I have not prepared my leech- self and, as such, it spread throughout the town until es yet!” it reached the ears of the Alter Rebbe. “This is the Later on that day when the Mitteler Rebbe came home

VOLUME 24, ISSUE 6 Page 5 path of the Ba’al Shem Tov, to find, from every physi- be’s shul were drenched on tears by those aroused by cal occurrence, a lesson in the service of Hashem,” the lesson of the leeches. That Simchas Torah, the the Alter Rebbe said. “We worked and toiled to im- shoes were torn by the joyous dancing created plement this teaching into ourselves and it has be- through the Alter Rebbe’s promise. come the very blood of our children. He who will follow in the path of the Ba’al Shem Tov and the Mag- Sefer Hasichos 5696, p. 5 gid, “ the Alter Rebbe promised, “will plant a spark, a Explained by the Rebbe on the night of Simchas Torah yearning for G-dliness in him and his descendants.” 5723, 1962

That Rosh Hashonah the floorboards of the Alter Reb- CHAI ELUL BIRTHDAY OF THE BA’AL SHEM TOV & THE ALTER REBBE SHABBOS ~ SEPTEMBER 13

In the year 5585 (1825), on Shabbos Parshas Ki Teitzei, sive soul), is thus a Yom Tov that is celebrated in all thirteen of Elul, the Mittler Rebbe spoke about the day the supernal worlds. It is an auspicious tie, a time at on which a tzaddik is born, and specifically about the which the Holy One, blessed be He, rejoices exceed- day on which an individual with a comprehensive soul ingly, so to speak. And all those who participate in is born. He spoke of the festive meal which celebrates the farewell celebration derive spiritual nourishment the occasion in the Lower Garden of Eden and in the from the celestial table, from the festive banquet higher Garden of Eden. This spiritual repast consists of which is held in the higher spheres, in the Higher the Divine Presence, when they behold and apprehend and in the Lower Garden of Eden.” (Sefer Hasichos the essence of G-dliness. All the souls present take leave 5703, pg. 89) of the soul of the tzaddik which is about to descend to the world, and offer it their blessings for success - in Continuing in the words of the Rebbe Rashab: One realizing the ultimate purpose of its descent into a who is knowledgeable and well versed in the paths of body. life of the Neshamos in the lower Gan Eden and in the upper Gan Eden (as explained in Zohar and Sifrei “The nature of the festive Seudas Mitzvah which is held Kabala, and with lengthy explanations in Reishis in the Lower and Higher Gan Eden in honor of a com- Chochma and Maver Yabok), and is sensitive to the prehensive soul is quite different from that which is soul will be able to appraise the great joy in the heav- held in honor of the soul of an ordinary righteous per- enly chamber of the Baal Shem Tov during the twen- son. Once the Heavenly Court has decreed that a par- ty-four hours of Chai Elul, when there are gathered ticular comprehensive soul must descend to the world together the outstanding head of the Jewish People, at a certain time and be born to specific parents, then the Holy Society of his students and the students of some time before the body of the prospective infant is his students, who are the Nesiim of Israel, together formed, the Court assigns this soul a particular cham- with the thousands and tens of thousands of those ber, and there it heads a heavenly academy. who are attached to them.

There, as it awaits its downward mission, this soul ex- It is clear at this moment, as the Tefillah of Maariv pounds the Torah to the souls of the righteous. approaches, there is an announcement in heaven on the occasion of the birthday of the Baal Shem Tov, With the approach of the time appointed for the soul to “Arise, tzaddikim, and prepare yourselves for the ho- set out on its descent, the soul of Moshe Rabbeinu leads ly celebration,” because all Neshamos, - it goes with- all the comprehensive souls who now foregather for the out saying the souls of the tzaddikim who have al- festive occasion. They give the embarking soul their ready received the punishment which is due them - mission for the public welfare, and promise to aid it in but also the souls who are still undergoing purifica- its endeavors. tion after the revelation of the Baal Shem Tov in the lower world -- merit to participate in this celebra- “The day destined for the birth of a tzaddik (and even tion, each soul according to its essential being -- be- more so, for the birth of a tzaddik with a comprehen- cause all of the souls are equal in their root in Atzi-

VOLUME 24, ISSUE 6 Page 6 lus, and in the root of their root in the Essence of Ein Sof Boruch Hu, and the Kesherim & Ben David Inc. division is only in the level at which they are revealed here below and in the Established 1947 particular path of their service -- and according to this level is the manner in Diamonds, Rubies & Sapphires which they merit to participate in the holy celebration.“At midnight the Holy One, Blessed Be He comes to have enjoyment with the tzaddikim in Gan Eden, as explained in the Zohar from the comparison and interpretation of many verses, and the enjoyment is in the secrets of Torah. Even though the live of the tzaddikim in the Lower and Higher Gan Eden is completely good and completely holy and has nothing of the workaday, for in every world the level of Gan Eden in that world is the Atzilus within that world, which is all good, nevertheless, there exist distinctions between weekday and Shabbos and Yom 706 S. Hill Street # 320 Los Angeles, CA 90014 Tov, and it is certain that the enjoyment that the Holy One, Blessed Be He has Tel: 213 910-1700 with the tzaddikim on this night, the night of Chai Elul, will be like the joy of [email protected] Yom Tov. *** “When I set my heart and mind -- continued my holy father the Rebbe Rashab Shomer Insurance Agency -- to meditate upon the life history of our Master the Baal Shem Tov, and the Insurance Specialists Joseph Schneerson life history of the Alter Rebbe, and the paths of their lives in hard labor with Principal & Broker self sacrifice on behalf of the holy Name of the Almighty, in their war with the 4221 Wilshire Blvd. #222 supernal opposition and with those here below who opposed their approach 323 934-8160 and their Torah, in which, with the help of the Almighty, they were victorious, License #0717982 I come to the conclusion that their holy day must be celebrated in heaven in the same way as the celebration of field marshals who return from the fields of *** battle with the emblems of victory in hand. Martin Fishman & Assoc. Inc. INSURANCE The heavenly kingdom is analogous to the earthly kingdom. In the earthly 6300 Wilshire Blvd. kingdom, when the field marshal returns from the fields of battle after having Los Angeles, CA 90048 defeated the hated enemy, the king himself goes out to meet him, and all the Tel: 323 866-0830 officers and nobles of the kingdom follow in his train. All as one praise and License # 04188981 exalt the marshal, and his name is recorded everlastingly in the chronicles of *** his nation. And if, in the earthly kingdom, his reward is doubled and redou- bled, it must be impossible to assess the surpassing joy and glory and honor, Frank Revere Lawyer the radiance and brilliance which shines forth in the chamber of the Baal Revere & Wallace Shem Tov. 1150 South Olive, Suite 2000 Los Angeles, CA 90015 As the universal practice at the celebration of the field marshal, his battalions [email protected] 213 839-1333 and their officers are honored with medals and with presents, each officer according to his rank in the battalion of the field marshal, and each soldier ac- *** cording to his service and according to his devoted self-sacrifice in carrying out this service. So too in this holy celebration; assuredly, the entire Holy Soci- Melinda Dauer ety, the students of the Baal Shem Tov and the students of their students, to- Psy. D., A.T.R.- B.C. - M.S.T. gether with all who have attached themselves to them, are all, each according Art Therapy & Coaching Children & Adults to his function, honored with numerous presents, the promotion of their holy 310 892-6988 Neshamos to higher and higher levels. [email protected]

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VOLUME 24, ISSUE 6 Page 7 The Tzemach Tzedek

We are presenting some stories about the Tzemach er Czar Nikolai was inspecting military maneuvers Tzedek, who’s birthday is on Erev Rosh HaShana. The and asked the general who the soldiers were. The Tzemach Tzedek was born in the year 5549/1789. general replied “Yankel, Berel….” naming Jewish names. The Czar became angry and decreed that In 5603 (1843) the Tzemach Tzedek went to Peters- they convert immediately. The Jewish soldiers an- burg for the Rabbinical Commission, a meeting with swered, “Your excellency, five years ago the Rebbe government officials, rabbis, and Maskilim from Vilna of Lubavitch visited us and told us it’s forbidden to and Riga. This meeting was orchestrated by the Gov- change our religion, and even if the Czar himself ernment to bring change in Yiddishkeit, according to demands it, it’s still forbidden, and we must be the wishes of the Maskilim. (The Tzemach Tzedek was Moser Nefesh.” They all jumped into the water arrested 22 times between May 6 and August 27.) Be- and drowned. fore he left, he told his wife and children to say three chapters of Tehilim every day in his room. He visited When the previous Lubavitcher Rebbe told this sto- the grave of his mother Rebbitzin Devorah Leah. She ry he said there are two wonders here: One, that told him that because of her Mesiras Nefesh for Chassi- the Jewish soldiers remembered what the Tzemach dus she merited to be in the chamber of the Ba’al Shem Tzedek had told them five years earlier, and sec- Tov: She asked him for a Segulah so that, with G-d’s ond, the power the Tzemach Tzedek instilled in help, he’s be able to stand strong. The Ba’al Shem Tov them to be Moser Nefesh. said, “Your son knows Chumash, Tehilim, and Tanya (Sefer Hatoldos, pp. 132-140) by heart. It’s written, “VaYehi Chitas Elokim” “And Hashem’s fear was upon them.” (Bereishis 35:5) Chitas The Tzemach Tzedek returned to Lubavitch in Elul. stands for Chumash Tehilim, and Tanya; one who is That Erev Rosh Hashanah he told how he had gone expert in all their letters can break the darkness. to Krunstadt to address the cantonists (who had made a big parade in his honor). The Minister of the Interior once told the Tzemach Tzedek, “You are rebelling against the Czar.” The He told how the soldiers had told him, “Rebbe, we Tzemach Tzedek answered that if a person rebels worked hard to polish the buttons of our uniforms against the king he deserves the death penalty, but if he for you; now, please polish our Neshamos, which rebels against Hashem, he deserves the death penalty have become besmirched.” And they burst into on his soul. tears.

R. Yitzchok of Volozhin, who was at the meeting, com- Many of the soldiers knew Tehilim by heart; while mented to the Tzemach Tzedek that he would lose his polishing their buttons they would say Tehilim. Olam Habah for defying the government, that, G-d for- The Tzemach Tzedek said a Ma’amar for them, and bid, he could be sentenced to death for disagreeing with said, “You polish buttons with sand and water. the wishes of Czar Nikolai. The Tzemach Tzedek said if Sand is Tehilim and tears wash away the spots.” there is no physical world for Jews, of what is the use of The soldiers said, “To capture a city you don’t use Hashem’s Olam Habah. tears, you sing a march.” (Sefer Hatoldos, p. 118) “Today is Erev Rosh Hashanah,” the Tzemach At that time the cantonists (Jewish boys who were Tzedek told his Chassidim. “We must polish our- drafted into the army) asked that the Tzemach Tzedek selves by saying Tehilim with tears from the depths come and speak to them. In the beginning of Av, the of our hearts but with a joyful soul.” And he con- infantry men, soldiers and sailors gathered and the cluded with Brochos for a sweet year. Tzemach Tzedek said a Ma’amar for them. He met with a second group of three battalions (about 600 (Sefer Hasichos 5705, p. 3) men) and said the Ma’amar “Shema Yisroel.”

At the end he said, “When a question arises of chang- ing our religion, G-d forbid, a Jew is obligated in self sacrifice, even if the king commanded him.” Years lat-

VOLUME 24, ISSUE 6 Page 8 Pruzbul Erev Rosh Hashana

The law of cancellation of loans on Shemitah applies “...The time of the Pruzbul is, initially at the end of the today...by Rabbinic law. sixth year before Rosh Hashanah of the seventh year [Shemitah} The Chachamim saw the people not lending each other money, violating what it says in the Torah, [ Devarim Although the seventh year cancels loans only at the 15:9], “ Be careful not to have something evil in your end [of the year]...there are authorities [RoSh to Gitin heart, to say, “ The seventh year is coming” 37a, Tur Choshen Mishpat: 67:32] who say it’s forbidden to demand repayment of a loan, from the beginning of the seventh eyar, since it says, “No man shall They enacted the Pruzbul—that a lender should transfer demand from his brother or his friend, for the Shem- the debts owed to him , to the Beis Din...and say to itah eyar has been Inaugurated before Hashem,” them before Shemitah: “I give over my debt to you so [Devarim 15:2}immediately as the year has been inau- that I can collect it any time I wish”. gurated before Hashem, it is forbidden to demand repayment…” The Chachomim made this as if he’d transferred his [Alter Rebbe’s Shulchan Aruch, Choshen Mishpat: loan document to Beis Din and said, “You collect my Laws of Loans: 34-36] debt”, in which case Shemitah doesn’t cancel his loan by Torah Law. “...and to make it easier - it’s worthwhile to make the pruzbul immediately after Hataras Nedarim Every G-d fearing person should be careful to make a [Likutei Sichos, Vol. 24 pp. 316-317] Pruzbul, which is an easy thing to arrange, to gather three proper people as a Beis Din, and tell them “I transfer to you my debts, that I can collect them any time I wish.”

Here’s how you make Pruzbul: After Hataras Nedorim, on Erev Rosh Hashana—the last day before Shemitah, while standing before the Beis Din you say: הַרֵ ינִי מֹוסֵר לָכֶם כָל חֹובֹות שֶ יֵש לִי שֶאֶגְבֶה אֹותָ ם כָל זְמַן שֶאֶרְ צֶה “I herby transfer to you all the debts owed to me, so that I can collect them any time I wish.” (if your Rabbi in your shul has a Pruzbul document, All you have to do is sign it.)

VOLUME 24, ISSUE 6 Page 9 CONGREGATION LEVI YI TZCHOK CHABAD OF HANCOCK PA RK

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המקשה הוא הקיער - Directives for Elul

1. On Rosh Chodesh Elul, Moshe Rabeinu went 6. We say three extra chapters of Tehilim, com- up to Har Sinai to receive the second Luchos, pleting Sefer Tehilim on Yom Kippur. and descended forty days later on Tishrei 10, Yom Kippur, when the forgiveness was com- 7. During Elul we have our Tefilin and Mezu- plete. zos checked, and correct any defects in any other Mitzvah. 2. These days were set aside as days of mercy. 8. From Rosh Chodesh Elul until Yom Kippur 3. It’s an appropriate time for self- when we write a letter or meet someone, we improvement, to review the year, to resolve wish them to be written and sealed for a to increase the positive and correct the nega- good and sweet year. tive for the coming year. 9. Before Rosh Hashanah we write a Pidyon 4. We blow the Shofar every day, (except Shab- Nefesh and send it to be read at the Ohel of bos and Erev Rosh HaShanah). the Rebbe. 5. From the First day of Rosh Chodesh Elul, un- 10. This coming year is going to be a Shmitah til Hoshana Raba we say “LiDovid Hashem year. Therefore, Erev Rosh Hashana right af- Ori” at Shachris, after Shir Shel Yom, and ter Hateros Nedorim we need to make a Minchah before Aleinu. pruzbul. CALENDAR TIMES ARE FOR LOS ANGELES Light Candles Friday September 12:Candles FridayLight September Light Candles Friday September 5: Candles FridayLight September Begin reciting Ori Begin L’DovidHashem Add Chapters Add 3 of Tehillim Daily Light Candles FridayLight29: August Elul 1/August Elul 27/Wednesday Last Last Time ReadShema: To Last Time ReadShema: To Last Time ReadShema: To Av 26/Tuesday 30/August Pirkei Avos Chapters 3 & 4 Pirkei Avos3 4 Chapters & Shofar blowingShofar ispracticed Rosh Chodesh DayRosh Chodesh Two Rosh Chodesh DayRosh Chodesh One Elul 18/September Elul 13 Pirkei Avos2 Chapter Pirkei Avos1 Chapter Begin BlowingBegin Shofar Elul 11/September Elul 6 Shabbos Chai Chai Elul Shabbos Elul 4/August Elul 30 Shabbos Shabbos Ends: Shabbos Ends: Shabbos Ends: Ki Teitzei Shoftim Ki Tavo

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week. 7 between as much earlier changes and week, to week from Lighting drastically changes time Candle year the this of during time that aware be Please Light Candles Friday September 19:Candles FridayLight September Elul 29/September Elul 24/Wednesday Each SelichosMinyan Each followed Selichos followedSelichos byShachris by Shachris &AnnulmentShachris by of

Last Last Time ReadShema: To Pirkei Avos5 6 Chapters & Second SelichosMinyan: Second Motzei ShabbosSelichos Second SelichosMinyan: Second Fourth Selichos Minyan Fourth Elul 25/September Elul 20 Third SelichosThird Minyan: Erev Hashanah Rosh Third SelichosThird Minyan First Selichos Minyan:FirstSelichos First Selichos Minyan:FirstSelichos Nitzavim Monday Shabbos SelichosShabbos Shabbos Shabbos Ends: -

10 minutes a minutes 10 -

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Shachris: Tuesday Tehillim: Vows Vows -

as as

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