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SOULS AFIRE 4 D’var Malchus | Sichos In English

MOSHIACH: TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE 6 Thought | Rabbi Zvi Homnick

THE REBBE AND THE RAMBAM 10 Feature | Gai Kantor

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making this world a dwelling for Him. [11] As the Or HaChayim describes, SOULS AFIRE Aharon’s sons had reached an all- encompassing level of ratzu, a longing to cleave to G-d. This should have been followed Sichos In English by a phase of shuv to express this bond with G-d in their lives. [12] A MOMENT OF DRAMA INSATIABLE YEARNING Their sin [13] was not the The seven days of the dedication The passage is paradoxical. closeness they established with G-d, of the Sanctuary had passed, and On one hand, the conduct of but the fact that the connection was despite the expectations of the Jewish Aharon’s sons appears undesirable, self-contained, causing them to die, people, the Divine Presence had not as obvious from the punishment they without extending this bond into the become manifest. received and as reflected in our realm of ordinary experience. [14] Even after the sacrifices offered Sages’ [7] discussion of “the sin of For G-d’s intent is that the deepest on the eighth day, the hopes of the Aharon’s sons.” levels of love for Him be channeled to people had not been fulfilled. [1] Conversely, however, it also wards appreciating the G-dliness that Aware of the people’s appears that there was a positive exists within every element of disappointment, Moshe and Aharon dimension to their efforts. creation, and undertaking earnest entered the Sanctuary and prayed, For Nadav and Avihu had been endeavors to enable that G-dliness to and then “G-d’s glory was revealed designated for unique Divine service become manifest. to all the people. Fire came forth and Moshe himself stated [8] that The positive dimension of from before G-d and consumed the they were greater than he and Nadav’s and Avihu’s striving is burnt offering.” [2] Aharon and that through their alluded to in the phrase “a strange In grateful acknowledgment, “the sacrifice, the Sanctuary was fire which [G-d] had not people saw this and raised their consecrated. commanded [them to offer].” voices in praise.” [3] This difficulty can be resolved Their Divine service was Two individuals sought a deeper based on the commentary of the Or “strange” - of a level beyond bond with G-d. HaChayim, who explains the death ordinary mortal experience, and on “Aharon’s sons, Nadav and of Nadav and Avihu as follows: [9] such a high peak that G-d could not Avihu, each took his fire pan, and They came close to a sublime light command the Jewish people to seek placed fire and then incense upon it, with holy love and died because of it. such a rung. and offered it before G-d. It was This is the mystic secret of [G-d’s] The closeness to G-d which strange fire which [G-d] had not kiss through which the righteous die. resulted from this Divine service commanded [them to offer]. Fire Their death was equivalent to the “dedicated the sanctuary,” [15] came forth from before G-d and death of the righteous, [except] there endowing it with the potential to consumed them, and they died was one distinction: inspire others to similar heights. For before G-d.” [4] It is the kiss which approaches this reason, our Torah reading begins Moshe praised them in their the righteous, while in their instance, by mentioning “the death of the two death, telling Aharon: “This is [the it was they who approached it.... sons of Aharon, when they drew meaning of] what G-d said: ‘I will be Although they appreciated that close to G-d.” sanctified by those close to Me and I they would die, they did not hold The Torah reading focuses on the will glorified before the entire back from coming close to clinging Divine service of Yom Kippur, the nation.’ “ [5] [to G-d] in a sweet [bond] of love... day on which every Jew “draws close Rashi [6] explains that Moshe to the extent that their souls to G-d.” told Aharon: “I knew that the departed. As an introduction, the Torah Sanctuary would be consecrated by Chassidic thought [10] develops cites the closeness achieved by those in communion with G-d. I this concept, stating that our love for Aharon’s son’s, for their endeavors surmised that this would be either G-d must involve two phases: ratzu, opened a channel enabling all Jews to me or you. Now I see that they are a powerful yearning for connection connect to G-d with such intensity. greater than we are.” with G-d, and shuv, a commitment to return and express G-d’s will by

4 9 Iyar 5770 BEIS MOSHIACH TWO LESSONS, consciousness which surfaces on Shmos, sec. 28). As such, he did not make Yom Kippur. [17] this statement as an expression of humility, TWO NAMES but rather, as an honest appreciation of the On this level, a Jew’s obedience to In retrospect, the Divine service spiritual level of Aharon’s sons. G-d is not a matter of choice, for of Aharon’s sons provides us with 9. One of the interpretations he offers to which there is reward or punishment, two lessons: Leviticus 16:1. but a natural response, an expression a positive one, the potential a Jew 10. See the maamar entitled Acharei, Sefer of his inner self. has to draw close to G-d; and, HaMaamarim 5649, p. 237ff and Likkutei As R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev Sichos, Vol. III, p. 987ff. See also the essay a negative one, that their service would say, it is not a commitment to entitled “After Yom Kippur,” in Timeless lacked the thrust toward shuv, life Patterns in Time, Vol. I, p. 52. observance which prevents a Jew within the context of our world. from eating on Yom Kippur. On Yom 11. Cf. Midrash Tanchuma, Parshas According to popular custom, Bechukosai, sec. 3. Kippur, who wants to eat! there are some who refer to this And from Yom Kippur, this 12. On this basis, we can understand our Torah reading as Acharei and others Sages’ statement (Avos 4:22): “Against your connection can be continued who call it Acharei Mos. will, you live.” The natural desire of a Jew’s Acharei, “afterwards,” lifting the soul is to abandon material existence and to It is possible to say that the entire scope of our Jewish cling to G-d. Living within our world is difference between the two names observance to a higher level. “against your will,” contrary to this desire. It depends on which of the dimensions remains within the body only out of a The inner point of connection is chosen for emphasis. commitment to fulfill G-d’s will. between a Jew and G-d can suffuse Acharei means “after.” See the commentary to this mishnah in In the every aspect of our lives. The height of connection reached Paths of Our Fathers p. 141 (Kehot, N.Y., As such, living within the material 1994). by Aharon’s sons generated the world will not represent a challenge potential for similar closeness to be 13. The Hebrew word for sin - chet - can to dedication to G-d. At this level, also be rendered as “lack.” (See I Kings achieved by the Jewish people one’s life is one of simple connection 1:21.) “afterwards.” which does not allow for any 14. The Or HaChayim explains that this Acharei Mos, (“After the death possibility of separation. concept is underscored by the opening verse of”), by contrast, places the accent of our Torah reading (Leviticus 16:1): “And Mankind as a whole will on the negative outcome that G-d spoke to Moshe after the death of the experience this level of connection in resulted from their inability to two sons of Aharon, when they drew close to the Era of the Redemption, when the G-d and died.” complement the closeness to G-d G-dliness which permeates the world with the commitment to develop an Why does the verse say “and died”? To will be revealed: “The world will be emphasize that this was the negative awareness of G-d within this filled with the knowledge of G-d like dimension of their service. The closeness material world. [16] they achieved was desirable. But “they died,” the waters that cover the ocean bed.” and this closeness did not serve to advance [18] G-d’s purpose in creation. A SINGLE-MINDED In this setting of manifest G-dliness, 15. In this context, the death of Aharon’s BOND man’s natural, spontaneous desire will sons can be compared to a sacrifice, for they Lubavitch custom is to call the be to obey G-d’s will. gave up their lives to cling to G-d. Torah reading Acharei, highlighting Adapted from: Likkutei Sichos, Vol. XXXII, p. 16. Within this context, the connection on 98ff; Sefer HaSichos 5750, p. 428ff the mention of Aharon’s sons to the the closeness every Jew shares with remainder of the Torah reading is that, on G-d. NOTES: Yom Kippur, the High Priest enters the Holy For the inner dimension of the of Holies, drawing close to the manifestation 1. See Rashi, commenting on Leviticus 9:23. soul of every Jew is at one with G-d, of the Divine Presence. He must remember 2. Leviticus 9:23-24. the importance, not only of entering the Holy bound together in an inseparable of Holies, but of departing, and drawing the 3. Ibid. connection. spiritual closeness into everyday life. 4. Ibid. 10:1-2. This bond surpasses that 17. This level of connection transcends the established through the observance 5. Ibid.:3. thrusts of ratzu and shuv, uniting one with G-d in a simple and constant bond. See the of mitzvos. 6. In his commentary to this verse, based on essay entitled “A Time to Take Stock,” For although mitzvos create a Toras Kohanim, commenting on Leviticus Timeless Patterns in Time, Vol. II, p. 147ff. bond between the commanded and 9:24; Midrash Tanchuma, Shemini, sec. 1, et the Commander, the two remain al. 18. Isaiah 11:9, cited by the Rambam, Mishneh Torah, Hilchos Melachim 12:5, at 7. Toras Kohanim, commenting on Leviticus separate entities. the conclusion of his discussion of the Era of 10:1; Vayikra Rabbah 12:1, 20:6,8,9, et al. In essence, however, the Jews and the Redemption. G-d are one. And this is the level of 8. Moshe represented the embodiment of the attribute of truth (Midrash Tanchuma,

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 738 5 thought MOSHIACH: TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE

By Rabbi Zvi Homnick

incredulously, how is it possible When looking back over the years of the that I used to think like that? Rebbe’s talks and writings on the topic The bochur was very excited by the answer and went to share it of Moshiach and Geula, one thing with his close friend from the same yeshiva, with whom he becomes abundantly clear. Everything learned Chassidus and did mivtzoim. Later, he came back to the Rebbe said and did was to convey to me looking crestfallen, because when he repeated it to his friend, us a sense of urgency and individual his friend could not understand responsibility for bringing ourselves and how Chassidus could be anything more than an additional set of the world to our/its preordained Torah teachings and insights that are part of the truth of Torah, and outcome. so, one must try to incorporate them into his religious life to whatever degree possible. But why a person learns and understands TIME PAST would that make a person rethink Chassidus as something that is in A number of years ago, I was everything that he knew to be true addition to what he already asked by a bochur not learning in up till that point? Since he was knows, he won’t feel the need to a Lubavitch yeshiva who was truly concerned that his friend change who he is and how he sees nevertheless very involved with the didn’t “get it” and he hoped that I himself. Before, he was a good Rebbe and in learning Chassidus, could help explain it, he asked if I person and now he is an even why some people who immerse would make time to learn with the better person. It is only when a themselves in the study of two of them on a regular basis. person is open to completely Chassidus don’t feel the need to I tried to explain to him that rethinking everything that he “go all the way?” They enjoy the whether one did or did not “get it” thought he knew in the past, in learning, they might even get seemed to have more to do with the light of Chassidus, that it is involved in promulgating the his own mindset, and all the possible for him to one day “get teachings, they consider the Rebbe explanations in the world would it,” and when he does he will have as the leader of the Jewish people, not help. At best, he would just no choice about changing because but still choose to remain “on the see it as another new idea or for him there can be nothing else. outside.” Clearly, there are some insight to accept or reject. Despite At that point, he will look back at people who “get it” and some that, we did learn together for his earlier way of thinking and it perhaps even more learned who some time, and the two of them will feel like he is looking into the don’t. continued to be heavily involved in mind of a stranger, so much so One of the answers that I gave mivtzoim and running to 770 to that he will ask himself him at the time was that as long as see the Rebbe at every

6 9 Iyar 5770 BEIS MOSHIACH opportunity. Eventually, the first glaring areas of contradiction was source for this concept. one left his yeshiva to learn in how to relate to a Jew who is On the other hand, I was also Lubavitch and is today a shliach of “lost.” Even as a young teen I was aware of the difference in the Rebbe. His friend is still a fine aware of the Chassidic teaching approach between the Baal Shem Jew, now raising a beautiful based on kabbalistic tradition and Tov and the Vilna Gaon regarding family, who is very involved in alluded to in the Talmud, that the issue of “rectification of studying and teaching Torah, and every Jew would ultimately have a souls.” There are many stories in even learns Chassidus. tikkun (rectification), or in the Chassidic lore about how the Baal When I look back in disbelief popular vernacular, “no Jew will Shem Tov spent much time and at the way I used to think about be left behind.” In fact, in the effort in order to elevate souls that G-d, Torah, Jews and Judaism, yeshiva that my family was had long been in torment since what is particularly painful, even connected to and where I grew up, leaving this world. Conversely, more than having been one of the songs sung at hakafos Reb Chaim of Volozhin recounts misinformed or uninformed, is was to the words in the verse in that when he asked the Vilna when I realize the contradictions the book of Shmuel 2, 14:14, Gaon why he avoided visiting the in my own thinking. One of the which is cited as a scriptural cemetery, his teacher told him that on his last visit many souls from the next world came to him pleading for a tikkun, and he couldn’t spare the time from his learning. In the world I grew up in, it was understood that the conduct of the Gaon was more worthy of admiration and emulation. This colored our view of kiruv, Jewish outreach, so that we looked upon the work of Lubavitch with a more than jaundiced eye. Looking back, I can’t help but be amazed by how someone (me) could accept the idea that G-d cares so much about every Jew that He will not allow any Jew to be completely “lost,” but believe that expending time and effort to “save” a Jew was a waste of time that could be used for Torah study (that is without getting into the commandments of “rebuke,” “making G-d beloved,” “saving a life” etc). As the earlier Chassidim would say regarding the Misnagdim or even those non- Chassidim not oppositional towards them, that they lack any true feeling for what a Jew is.

TIME LOST In the early years of the Rebbe’s leadership, he didn’t seem to make much of the yahrtzeit of his brother, Reb Yisroel Ayreh

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 738 7 to the concept of free will, your “The Torah has already promised that decisions only affect whether the in the end Yisrael will do teshuva process and time leading up to the final outcome will be a pleasant or (repentance) and immediately they will painful experience for your soul. Similarly, the nation as a whole be redeemed.” The outcome is can only affect how long or short the process is and how painful or immutable and guaranteed. G-d has painless it is, but as the Rambam writes in his Laws of Repentance, sworn it to be so and the Torah already “The Torah has already promised promised. that in the end Yisrael will do teshuva (repentance) and immediately they will be th Leib on the 13 of Iyar, besides as G-d wills it, and as such it is redeemed.” The outcome is for saying kaddish as he had left the only determining factor for immutable and guaranteed. G-d no male progeny. Over the years, existence. Since G-d has already has sworn it to be so and the and more obviously in the later revealed His Will insofar as the Torah already promised. years, the Rebbe spoke more outcome of creation as a whole, In fact, since at his core openly about the significance of namely Redemption, Resurrection essence, the Jew is “an actual part this date. Looking back even to and the Seventh Millennium, and of G-d above,” his will is the same the earlier years, when it was not for each Jew as an individual, as G-d’s will and as such the only referred to expressly, one can see namely that every Jew will truly “free” expression of his will certain themes emerging in the ultimately have his rectification is when it is consistent with G-d’s sichos and maamorim said on or and share in the World to Come, will. Any deviation from that is by close to that day. One of the how can one be said to have free definition only temporary. That is issues the Rebbe addressed and will? Since by definition it is why nobody can ever be truly developed in those talks, revealing impossible for G-d’s Will not to be “lost,” since one can only “lose” tremendous chiddushim (novel realized and since there can be no the more external aspects of his Torah insights), was regarding the existence without G-d actively being. Any concealment of the matter of free will. willing it, or in plain terms “G-d true essence of the Jew may Generally, the philosophical always gets what He wants,” as require a long painful process to paradox that most people of a He has made clear throughout clean away in this world or the philosophical bent struggle with is Torah that the outcome is next, but the eventual outcome is free will versus divine knowledge. predetermined, how can the assured. The Rambam even addresses this decisions resulting from the will of This idea would seem to be conundrum in his legal code, to the individual Jew or all Jews be very much consistent with the which the Raavad suggests he described as free? (From the teaching of the Rebbe Rayatz would have been better served if standpoint of much of Chassidic regarding Pesach Sheini on the he had left the matter untouched. teachings, this question becomes 14th of Iyar cited in the HaYom Many great thinkers offered their even more complex and Yom for that day: solutions to resolve this question, compelling, but due to restrictions “The idea of Pesach Sheini is with Kabbala and Chassidus of time and space this will have to that there is no such thing as presenting its own unique take on do). ‘unrecoverable.’ One can always the issue. Whatever form the The Rebbe resolves all the make corrections. Even if one was answer takes, the key point is that questions and seeming tamei (ritually impure) or one was G-d’s foreknowledge is total and contradictions by concluding that on a faraway road, and even if it unequivocal, but is not there actually is no true free will was ‘lachem,’ that it (the impurity determinative. as regards outcomes, it is only a or straying) was deliberate, The question that the Rebbe matter of time. G-d will have His nonetheless he can rectify it.” raised and addressed was free will way no matter what, you only get A simple reading of the story of versus Divine will. All of existence to decide if it will be a day sooner Pesach Sheini would actually is only a result of G-d’s will and or a day later, and since reward cause one to reach the opposite can only continue to exist as long and punishment are directly linked conclusion. The fact that they

8 9 Iyar 5770 BEIS MOSHIACH were given an opportunity to make wills,” and as such is infinitely and painful than depicted in the up for missing out on the first higher than the will that is prophetic and rabbinic literature. Pesach offering due to ritual expressed in Torah and Mitzvos. In fact, that is the only effect that impurity that came about through That is why, as Chassidus our individual choices can have. no fault of their own, would seem explains, if a Jew carries out what All the prophecies of record to indicate that this chance to the Zohar refers to as “higher and all the predictions in the offer a “makeup” sacrifice is very repentance” where he totally Talmud, Medrash, Zohar and much specific to that reconnects with “He who countless other authoritative commandment and that situation. commanded the commandments,” works are being fulfilled before In fact, if one does not bring the he even has the ability to “bring our very eyes. Moshiach is Pesach offering on the makeup down” any light that might be coming, or better yet, Moshiach is date, he is liable for the lacking due to not fulfilling a here, but the question that the punishment of kareis (premature positive commandment. “There is Rebbe Rayatz wrote in a letter in death), and can never make it up. no such thing as ‘unrecoverable.’” 1942 and the Rebbe published as a And even though he could It is only a matter of time. prologue to the HaYom Yom in absolve himself of the death 1943 is still as relevant as ever, sentence through proper TIME MATTERS “What have I done and what am I repentance, as the Alter Rebbe doing to ease the birth pangs of In one of the sichos said on says in Tanya (Igeres HaTeshuva Moshiach and to merit the Parashas Pinchas 5745, the Rebbe ch. 1) regarding the lack of Complete Redemption through our explained the saying of the Rebbe fulfillment of any positive righteous Moshiach?” When the Rayatz, l’alter l’teshuva, l’alter commandment, “Even though they Rebbe asked, “What more can I l’Geula (immediately to pardon his punishment for do?” he was clearly referring to repentance, immediately to rebelling against His Kingship, the issue of conveying the Redemption), in response to those may He be blessed, and not urgency, the sense that there is no “who seek to find fault” and argue fulfilling the command of the more time to waste. that how can one say “Moshiach King, still and all the light is We all have regrets about now” or “immediately to lacking...as per the statement of decisions and choices that we Redemption” without quoting the the Sages upon the verse, ‘a made in the past. I assume that first part of the saying, especially transgression that cannot be most if not all of us feel cheated since repentance is a lengthy and rectified,’ ‘this is someone who because we didn’t realize the protracted process. The missed out on the reading of the opportunities afforded to us in the explanation given was that since Shema in the morning or etc.’” past, especially when we still had the Zohar writes that repentance is However, with a deeper the Rebbe leading the charge in an something that can transpire “in understanding of Chassidus open and revealed way. Nineteen one moment or one instant,” it is regarding the nature of free will, years after the original 28 Nissan not only possible that we have as well as the role of the Jew and sicha, more than fifteen years after both things immediately but even the Torah and Mitzvos in 3 Tammuz, and surrounded on all one individual can be the one who actualizing G-d’s Will, it becomes sides by fellow Jews who may not tips the scale (see full sicha clear that there is a much deeper be observant at all, or are Hisvaaduyos 5745 vol. 5 p. 2622). message to the story. The fact that observant but oppose our beliefs When looking back over the Mishael and Elitzofon and/or the and efforts, we sometimes tell years of the Rebbe’s talks and unnamed bearers of Yosef’s coffin ourselves that we are entitled to writings on the topic of Moshiach were able to “cause” G-d to issue feel a little hopeless. The lesson of and Geula, one thing becomes a “new” commandment (the two these days is the exact opposite. abundantly clear. Everything the Pesachs are counted as separate The outcome is assured and there Rebbe said and did was to convey commandments in the total of is no such thing as to us a sense of urgency and 613) as a result of their burning “unrecoverable,” and we have the individual responsibility for desire to fulfill G-d’s power to “cause” G-d to issue a bringing ourselves and the world commandments even when legally “new” commandment to bring the to our/its preordained outcome. absolved of doing so, expresses True and Complete Redemption, As the Rebbe himself said on one the Kabbalistic and Chassidic immediately, NOW! occasion, he was motivated purely precept that the Jew is rooted in by the desire to see to it that the Positive comments and constructive the Divine Essence, “the One who process be a lot less drawn out criticism welcome: [email protected]

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 738 9 feature

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Chassidic Garb). For eight years, Rabbi Yaakov Gottlieb, In anticipation of the upcoming the top Maggid shiur in the Darkei celebration marking the Siyum HaRambam, we spoke with Rabbi Noam yeshiva high school, researched Dr. Yaakov Gottlieb. As a graduate of B’nei Akiva, the teachings of the Rambam as they what motivated you to do this research? are explicated in Chabad Chassidus in My initial connection with Chabad began when I attended general and the Rebbe’s teachings in Tanya classes at Kfar HaRoeh. Years particular. In the course of his research, later, my son was sick and I opened to a miraculous bracha from the he came to the conclusion that the Rebbe in the Igros Kodesh, which brought about a miraculous refua Rebbe fits the criteria for Moshiach as and boruch Hashem, my son recovered. I began to take a more delineated in the Rambam. * Presented serious interest in the Rebbe and his teachings. in conjunction with the Siyum What in particular appeals to HaRambam. * Part 1 you in the Rebbe’s teachings? If I tried to narrow it down I would have to say the D’var Malchus Rabbi Yaakov Gottlieb attended teaching, lecturing on the teachings sichos (5751/5752) especially and yeshivas B’nei Akiva under Rabbi of the Rambam. Likkutei Sichos generally. The D’var Moshe Tzvi Neria in Kfar HaRoeh. After completing degrees in Malchus sichos have a certain flavor It was there that he attended his first Jewish philosophy, he started to them that is different than the Tanya class – which quickly sparked working on his doctorate which sichos of previous years. There is a an interest in Chabad Chassidus. He incorporated research Jewish sense of tremendous power in them went on to attend the Har Etzyon philosophers, and especially the and a revolutionary outlook, and not hesder yeshiva, then to Bar Ilan teachings of the Rambam and the just on the topic of Moshiach and University, where he continued his Rebbe. His work was published by Geula. The Rebbe uses new and very learning in the advanced Torah study Bar Ilan University as Sichlitanut deep terminology which I, at least, program at the university. He began B’Levush Chassidi (Rationalism in hadn’t seen previously. One example

10 9 Iyar 5770 BEIS MOSHIACH is the sicha of Ki Sisa, 5752, about to me. analytical and philosophical the Sin of the Golden Calf. The Did your involvement in approach to the Rambam’s Rebbe takes one of the gravest sins Chabad Chassidus proceed teachings; the manner of explicating of all time and turns it inside out. independently or through rabbis or Rambam’s words; and uncovering He speaks about the sin as part of classes? the historical tradition of this the theme of the parsha, “elevation,” There were various stages that approach amongst the previous a process which contains a involved rabbis with whom I studied Chabad leaders. I really enjoyed it. beginning point, a descent, and a or learned from. There was a time When I was a kid I spent a lot of subsequent ascent to a higher point when I learned b’chavrusa with time learning the Rambam’s than where we started. Rabbi Yehuda Butman of Ramat introduction to Mishnayos and The Rebbe brings other examples HaSharon, another period of time certain excerpts from Mishnah Torah of this, showing how the process of when I listened to Rabbi Yisroel and Moreh Nevuchim. I read a lot Creation is one in which there is a Halperin’s farbrengens. I also hear about the Rambam and took courses descent followed by Geula. This shiurim in D’var Malchus from in university on his life and works. doesn’t involve merely reverting to Rabbi Motty Gal in Ramat Gan. But So combining the Rebbe’s teachings the starting point (Gan Eden or I mainly learned on my own. and the Rambam was personally whatever) but a much higher level very satisfying. than before. These are sichos which HIS DOCTORATE What in particular appeals to made a very strong impression on you in the Rambam’s teachings? After studying Chassidus for me. You can see that the Rebbe has When researching the Rambam, some time, I decided that the a goal and it seems as though he you see the enormity and breadth of Rebbe’s teachings could be a good allowed himself to reveal things his genius. Not only was he a research subject. At that time, almost which he may have refrained from brilliant and prolific author, he was no research was being done on the publicizing earlier. among the greatest poskim, one of Rebbe’s teachings. I later learned What particularly drew me to the greatest philosophers of the that Dr. Yitzchok Krauss had a Likkutei Sichos is the combination Jewish people and the world at large, similar idea and was working on it at of Chassidus and Nigleh, which a dayan in a beis din, and served as the same time as I was. He, appeals to me more than learning both a doctor as well as a political however, took a different approach, Chassidus in a more abstract form. leader who helped the Jews in Egypt focusing mainly on the Rebbe’s The Rebbe starts with a Gemara, a and Yemen. This is a complete man leadership – showing the consistency Rashi, or a Rambam and explains it - not just in one field or another – and how it was all part of a long using a Nigleh approach and then but a man with exceptionally broad pattern. goes on to explicate the kabbalistic knowledge and an expansive My research focuses on the and inner workings, and that speaks worldview.

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 738 11 understanding of Nigleh and who THE REBBE’S ESTEEM FOR THE RAMBAM gives excellent shiurim. The way he You can see the respect for the learns Rashi is unique and that’s Rambam in the writings of all the Chabad aside from the study of Kabbala and Rebbeim. As the Alter Rebbe writes, “Who Chassidus. The Rebbe is great in is greater to us than Moshe in his every aspect of Torah, including an generation? The Rambam in Spain.” But unusual knowledge and awareness the Rebbe’s esteem stands out, as is of differing wordings in texts, as well evidenced by his absolute literal acceptance as diverse approaches and of the famous saying, “From Moshe until assumptions. Moshe, there arose nobody like Moshe.” And the Rebbe did not only sit This accolade in admiration of the and learn; he leads his Chassidim Rambam is not new, but the first one to and directs them in their various take it literally and not as a superlative was amazing achievements; everybody the Rebbe. I found this very surprising. knows about the extraordinary work Over fifty generations, Yehoshua and all of Chabad headed by the Rebbe. the Elders, the Prophets, the Tanaim and Then there are the thousands of Amoraim, yet none of them were compared to Moshe! letters, the yechiduyos, etc. The The Rebbe’s regard for the Rambam is apparent in the analysis and Rebbe’s knowledge includes every lessons the Rebbe derives from the Rambam’s life. The Rebbe parallels 6field,67 Easte rfromn Parkw scienceay, Brookly nto, N Yphilosophy and the name Moshe, and even his father’s name Maimon, from the root everything in between. meaning water, to the waters of p’nimius ha’Torah and unification with Both the Rambam and the Rebbe G-dliness “as waters cover the sea bed.” are characterized by approaching Even the seventy years that the Rambam lived acquires great every undertaking in the best significance in the Rebbe’s teachings, with the seventy years reflecting possible way. It’s not about being a the perfection of the seven middos as each is comprised of the ten other dilettante who knows a bit about middos. The Rebbe makes a calculation of seventy years minus 83 days everything, but about being and says that Mishnah Torah has 83 categories of halachos (Hilchos exceptional in every field. When you Deios, Shabbos, Yom Tov etc.) and these complete the 83 days he was put their knowledge and missing in his life. accomplishments together, they add The Rebbe points out that the day he passed away, 20 Teves, is up to a most unusual personage. within a few days of the passing of the Alter Rebbe. He also draws a Despite the differences between parallel between the Rambam living in Egypt to Moshe, who was raised them, there is much in common. in Egypt and then later orchestrated the exodus from there with Egypt The Rambam and Rebbe fascinate signifying constriction in Chassidic teaching. The Rambam also me and I regard them both with the removed us from the constrictions of mistaken ideas and leads us utmost admiration. towards Geula. The Rebbe quotes the pasuk, “revos mofsai b’eretz The Rebbe talks about the fusion Mitzrayim” with the acronym of Rambam. The Rebbe also refers to the of Nigleh and p’nimius being one of Rambam’s middos and humility, to the gemach that he ran to provide the aspects of Geula and I think that financial aid to every person in need. the Rebbe’s explanations of the There is even a reference to the Rambam’s picture. The question of Rambam’s Mishnah Torah are just a researcher is whether the prevalent picture is accurate. The Rebbe that. We generally look at the looks at it differently. What impact does it have when people see that Rambam as a work of Nigleh but the picture as representing the Rambam? It reminds them of him, his Rebbe, in his commentary, gives it Mishnah Torah, the Moreh Nevuchim and all his activities so certainly new meaning by showing how it has this is a positive thing. This exemplifies the difference between the eyes implications in p’nimius ha’Torah. of a researcher who is interested in historical accuracy and the Rebbe This is what characterizes the whose interest is in the spiritual benefit. Likkutei Sichos and the Rebbe’s approach in general, in my opinion. My first thought was to do a I found the same phenomenon anyone else like him in recent general research project on the with the Rebbe. In every area you generations. Take the area of Torah. Rebbe’s teachings but my mentor, find incredible scope and when you The Rebbe is far more than a rosh Professor Dov Schwartz, said that put it all together you cannot find yeshiva who has a good research on the Rebbe’s teachings

12 9 Iyar 5770 BEIS MOSHIACH was not a three to four year project but a lifetime’s work. So I had to narrow it down. I decided to focus on the connection between the Rebbe and the Rambam. Upon deciding that this would be my subject, I took a sabbatical and sat in the Heichal Menachem library in B’nei Brak. At that time there weren’t many Chabad libraries and there was no online library of Chabad works. How many years did you spend on your research? I started in 5755 and it took me about eight years. About seven years ago the work began to take on its final form. I devoted the sabbatical year to gathering material. I took all the s’farim of the Chabad Rebbeim, in order, and went through the material page by page looking for references to the Rambam. I didn’t want to rely on the index because sometimes things are left out. I chose to look on my own through the sources. Whenever I found a mention of the Rambam, I copied it down by hand. There is an advantage to writing in that you pay attention to every word. You get more involved. The development of philosophy, By the end of that year I had several notebooks full of material. I including the Rambam’s philosophy, in began dividing the material into categories and slowly, a clearer the Middle Ages [was needed to make] a picture emerged. mockery of the avoda zara of the time… THE DEVELOPMENT OF The intellect was an important tool EMUNA IN STAGES used to shatter the materialistic view of One of the axioms of your dissertation is that the way the G-d. Later on, other things were Chabad Rebbeim viewed the Rambam is part of their general revealed. approach, which sees Torah and emuna developing from one “He did everything properly, in its generations of tzaddikim did not generation to the next. Can you time,” i.e. that that which was study Chassidus and how can it be explain this thesis? suitable yesterday is not necessarily said to be obligatory today. The There is a historical outlook by so today. Rebbe explains that what was the Chabad Rebbeim in general and The Rebbe uses this approach a suitable up to 300 years ago is the Rebbe in particular that emuna lot regarding those who opposed the insufficient for our generation. The continues to be revealed in stages. study of Chassidus when their proof is the very fact that Chassidus The Rebbe often quotes the pasuk, complaint was that many was revealed. I call this a historical

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 738 13 his neshama, with G-dly revelation When the Rebbe announced that we and assistance, this allows for such should study Rambam including the tremendous depth and range of explanation. chapters having to do with identifying There are many instances where the Rebbe’s interpretation of the Moshiach and the Geula process, he did Rambam is quite obviously different from what the Rambam seems to not mean for us to learn it just to know have intended. Though he almost certainly didn’t have these Chassidic how it will be one day in the distant explanations in mind when he wrote future. The Rebbe wanted us to his works, the Rambam merited that they were written in such a way that understand what is happening now they can contain Chassidic understandings. For example, the before our very eyes. Rebbe interprets the opening words of Mishnah Torah in such a way that perspective. Depending on which revelations also acquire a different they convey the idea of tzimtzum. I period in history you are living in, significance. For example, I think don’t know whether the Rebbe you will be obligated to learn certain that we now have different tools with intended to say that this is what the things. which to learn and comprehend the Rambam had in mind when he The development of philosophy, Rambam’s teachings. Of course, the wrote this halacha, but the Rambam including the Rambam’s philosophy, students of the Rambam who merited to write it in such a way that in the Middle Ages can be explained learned his teachings or people in we can now learn this interpretation in the same way. It was necessary general who learned Moreh in his words. for a rationalist philosophy to Nevuchim, could not see in it what The Rebbe considers the text of develop that would make a mockery the Rebbe sees because the new Mishnah Torah as a sacred text as of the avoda zara of the time. It was revelations provide a new framework much as the Tanach, Mishnah and essential to promote the mind. The for understanding the earlier Talmud. This goes way beyond the intellect was an important tool used revelations. superficial view that the Rambam to shatter the materialistic view of The Rebbe writes explicitly that was a Torah genius who wrote a G-d. Later on, other things were it’s not necessarily the case that the halachic work. As a sacred text, its revealed. way we interpret the Rambam today importance goes way beyond what In the Rebbe’s teachings you can is the way the Rambam thought even the Rambam may have also see a progression and change when he wrote it. At first glance, this understood when he wrote it. over the years. There were topics the is very surprising but the Rebbe chose not to publicize in the understanding of this point defines THE REBBE MELECH early years which he publicized in the approach of the Chabad later years, especially in the D’var Rebbeim to the Rambam, that there HA’MOSHIACH Malchus. It was like the Rebbe was is the neshama of the Rambam and In the last chapter of your book saying to us: “Now I can tell you his intellect, with his intellect more you say that the Rebbe meets the things that I could not reveal constricted than his neshama. The Rambam’s criteria of Moshiach. before.” neshama and the G-dly assistance What led you to this conclusion? There is an even greater directed and helped the Rambam When you examine the quotes chiddush here which serves as a write certain things while on the from the Rebbe in this chapter, you basis for my work. We need to intellectual plane, he thought along see how he uses the Rambam’s conform to the development and certain lines. approach to Moshiach not only in revelation of Torah; in other words, This is why it’s possible for so order to describe what to expect of even our understanding of the many commentaries to be written on the future but also to explain what is familiar Torah teachings of the past the words of the Rambam. It’s happening now and what he is needs to be adjusted in light of the simply unrealistic to assume that the doing. recent revelations. With the passage Rambam thought of all of the many After closely studying the Rebbe’s of time and revelations of additional explanations and elaborations of his teachings, I concluded that the dimensions of Torah, the earlier words. However, since he wrote with Rebbe’s activities fit the Messianic

14 9 Iyar 5770 BEIS MOSHIACH description that the Rambam Rabbeinu, suddenly dropping into in “ways of pleasantness,” not only delineates in Mishnah Torah. It is the world, performing miracles and through punishment. clear that the Rebbe saw himself as announcing: “Hello Rabbosai, I am The second criteria, “He fights acting in accordance with the here to redeem you.” Hashem spoke the wars of Hashem,” is met as well. Rambam’s blueprint. to Moshe Rabbeinu, and then he The Rebbe doesn’t physically fight as When the Rebbe announced that suddenly appeared in Egypt and did Bar Kochva did, but the fights we should study Rambam including signs and wonders which led to the Hashem’s wars with his spiritual the chapters having to do with Ten Plagues, the Exodus, and the might. When the Rebbe points to a identifying Moshiach and the Geula Splitting of the Sea. victory in the wars of Moshiach, he process, he did not mean for us to In Mishnah Torah it describes a connects it with the fact that learn it just to know how it will be different scenario. There is a king. Moshiach is having an effect on the one day in the distant future. The How is there a king if we don’t world and is victorious in a number Rebbe wanted us to understand what know he is Moshiach? The Rebbe of areas. is happening now before our very learns that this king is a leader. He The Rebbe fits the Rambam’s eyes so we know how to view works within a certain sector of the guidelines of someone who is various events. people who follow him. b’chezkas Moshiach. When you are talking about a The Rambam describes how he I am aware that there are miraculous Geula which takes place operates: “he compels all Israel to go Lubavitchers who are not in a moment, all you have to do is in its [the Torah’s] ways and comfortable saying that the Rebbe hope and pray for it, but the strengthens its breaches.” The Rebbe saw himself as the person the Rambam tells us that the Geula will sees this as bringing the Jewish Rambam describes, but anyone who come about naturally, a process that people back in t’shuva and he threw studies the Rebbe’s teachings in a human being brings about long himself into this work full steam depth sees that the Rebbe says this before he is recognized as Moshiach. ahead, in accordance with his explicitly. Moshiach is not like Moshe interpretation that “compels” can be [To be continued G-d willing] LIVE SHIURIM 0NLINE cwwv Anywhere, Anytime ! CHITAS j,ww, INYONEI GEULA unahj dtukv gbhbh & MOSHIACH rncwwo RAMBAM ckeuyh ahgurho SHIURIM IN LIKUTEI eusa ahju, SICHOS KODESH

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BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 738 15 profile

celebrating now? What happened on Purim? Why Chanuka? And so on. When I began discovering the reasons and background of the COMBAT traditional Jewish holidays, it helped clarify for me certain aspects of the Jewish soul. What did you learn from Tanya? LEADER I learned that the holidays and customs are ancient and not an innovation of the State of Israel. You find out that there were people who By Menachem Ziegelboim preceded you who had the same questions and eventually became From a children’s home on a kibbutz to religious. I said to myself: ‘This is worth looking into; let me see what hair-raising adventures in the elite religion has to say about all these questions.’ Tanya gave me the sense special forces to commander of the that the world existed long before me and many people before me had Mitzva Tanks, R’ Shmaryah Harel the same questions. It didn’t come easy. I had many candidly describes his doubts, successes arguments with R’ Pruss. Really I and failures as he was drawn into had two independent lines of thinking. One was my argumentative Judaism and Chabad. * Part 2 of 2 side. Even after I had good answers and started getting involved with Judaism, this perspective continued In 5734 (1974), Shmarya was time to supporting himself. to put up opposition since it was released from the army at the rank Before the beginning of the 5737 used to other things. of Captain, a few months after the school year he saw a flyer that Then there was my inner voice. Yom Kippur War. He worked for El- announced a course in Jewish There, I began to understand that Al as a security guard for half a year. mysticism. Rabbi Chaim Pruss, there was some sort of system of “I was an undercover guard shliach in Boston, worked on ideas and views and a way of life whose job it was to look out for campus and he advertised his weekly that was very grounded and solid. I terrorists or hijackers. Guarding a Tanya class as Jewish mysticism. figured, since I was a Jew and this passenger plane is very hard for two “The title got me. Mysticism is a was Judaism, it belonged to me. This reasons. First, because working word that fires the imagination…I was the key idea that got me moving among 300 or 400 passengers registered and bought a Tanya. I towards Judaism and Chabad. sitting crowded together is one of love to read and would read the R’ Pruss invited me to a Shabbos the hardest security situations. Tanya whenever I had a chance. The meal. I went and was very Second, because the hijackers know language was difficult but I impressed. It was a spiritual there are undercover guards and persevered and absorbed a lot. It experience and it moved me. The they are prepared for us.” spoke to my heart and resolved some Kiddush, the wine, challos, and When he left El-Al he traveled to questions I’d had since childhood.” mainly the atmosphere, all this made the United States. He stayed there For instance? a powerful impression. I decided I for seven years, in the course of Everyone who lives in Israel wanted to be a part of this. which he became acquainted with experiences the holidays, learns Was that the first time in your Chabad for the first time. Shmarya about them and lives a Jewish life, to life that you saw a Shabbos? is a perpetual student who loves some extent. When the holidays at More or less. When I was a child reading and acquiring knowledge. the kibbutz were merely parties, it on the kibbutz, a boy from the Tel He threw himself into his studies at was hard to make peace with that. Rei’im kibbutz came to school. We Boston University, devoting minimal You ask yourself, why are we called him a yeled chutz (a child

16 9 Iyar 5770 BEIS MOSHIACH Final instructions before setting out. Shmarya and his Tankists from the outside). It was decided that in order to get him included in The beginning of the journey was our group, every day one child difficult and along the way there were would accompany him home. It worked out one time that I went diversions and retreats. On the one home with him on a Friday and since his parents were traditional, hand, I thought the time had come to they made Kiddush. I found it very strange. The Shabbos table at the move forward; on the other hand, I told Pruss family in Boston filled in some of the gaps for me. myself that I wasn’t ready yet. What were you looking for back then? were diversions and retreats. On the shul. I fasted and bought some I was looking for the truth. From one hand, I thought the time had s’farim and on Yom Kippur night, my youth I sought the point of truth come to move forward; on the other before the astonished eyes of my within everything and when I saw hand, I told myself that I wasn’t roommates, I learned through the the Tanya, I saw that it was the truth ready yet. Things went on this way night. and I decided that I had to go with until 5738, by which time I already That Yom Kippur gave me a it. knew the basics; I knew what great feeling. After that I said, The beginning of the journey was kashrus and Shabbos are. “that’s it, from now on I am difficult and along the way there For Yom Kippur 5738/1977, I observing Shabbos and the decided I want to fast and go to holidays.” A few days went by and I

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 738 17 caused me to retreat from the whole A SERIES OF MIRACLES business for a few additional ONE DARK NIGHT IN LEBANON months. As Pesach approached, I knew that I had to do it all the way. During the Yom Kippur War, I took part in a secret operation in I bought new dishes and celebrated Lebanon. We entered Lebanon along with an armored column, and Pesach with the Krinsky family in after 24 hours we were told to leave and return to Israel. That was Boston. There were three days in a Motzaei Yom Kippur. It was pitch black. We withdrew a few kilometers row, two of Yom Tov and one of and they told us to wait at a certain point for tanks that we had to Shabbos. I wasn’t sure how an active provide cover for. As we waited, I laid out my sleeping bag and ammo guy like me could stay in one place belt near one of the armored troop carriers standing there and fell and do nothing for three days of asleep with my head half a meter away from the carrier. t’fillos and stories. It was really I woke up around one o’clock when the tanks came. As they lined tough. up to enter the parking area, one of the tanks turned around and in the After Pesach, I began keeping process, banged into the troop carrier. It flipped over and landed Shabbos and kashrus to the best of centimeters away from my head. At the time, I didn’t realize the my knowledge. At this stage, R’ enormity of the miracle but afterwards it registered: there were only Pruss began talking to me about two centimeters between me and death! learning at the yeshiva in The miracles didn’t end that night. About an hour later we got Morristown. After deciding to go orders to leave the area. We traveled via an Arab town which is there, I went to the Rebbe. currently in the secure zone but at that time it was over the border. It was Tisha B’Av, 5738 (1978), We were driving down the main road of the town when we were and it came out on Shabbos. Yisroel attacked by an ambush of terrorists. They shot an RPG missile at us Pruss (Chaim’s younger brother) from only four meters away! The missile passed fifty centimeters from took me to 770. Friday afternoon, the troop carrier and boruch Hashem, nothing happened. Of course we they davened mincha in the small zal returned fire. upstairs and I stood behind the Once again, I saw how Hashem helped me and how life and death crowd, at a distance. Towards the are a matter of centimeters. end of the davening, the Rebbe turned around after Aleinu. The crowd split in two and I saw the Friday afternoon, they davened mincha Rebbe looking at me. That was my first encounter with the Rebbe. in the small zal upstairs and I stood *** behind the crowd, at a distance. I spent two and a half years in yeshiva. I learned Chassidus and Towards the end of the davening, the absorbed the atmosphere of Chabad. Though I did not have yechidus Rebbe turned around after Aleinu. The during this time, there were a few occasions when the Rebbe said a crowd split in two and I saw the Rebbe sicha and I thought he was talking looking at me. That was my first to me. I remember that at one of the farbrengens on Motzaei Shabbos, I encounter with the Rebbe. suddenly felt this very strongly. I didn’t know why the Rebbe was remembered that Sukkos was I got up the nerve to make the saying those things to me when it coming up. I called the Pruss family call. He wasn’t available so I spoke didn’t pertain to me. The Rebbe was and asked Mrs. Pruss when Sukkos to his wife. I said that I could not talking about someone who learned would be. She said, “Tonight.” I was work on the two days of the holiday. Chassidus and began spreading the taken aback. I knew that work was She began to shout, “You can’t do wellsprings, first to himself and then forbidden and I didn’t know how to that. There’s so much work to be to his surroundings, and then to all tell my irreligious boss, out of the done!” of Eretz Yisroel. blue, that I couldn’t work the next I was scared by her screaming Why did you think the Rebbe two days. and went to work. The experience was talking to you?

18 9 Iyar 5770 BEIS MOSHIACH I don’t have a clear answer for that; it was a strong feeling. Only later, when I began working for the Chabad Mobile Mitzva Tanks and I saw what an impact they made on the entire country, did I realize that the Rebbe’s words did indeed pertain to me. Another thing that happened that was like a sort of yechidus happened to me on the night I returned to Eretz Yisroel. I went to Flatbush to say goodbye to friends. One of them asked me, “Are you a Chabadnik?” and I replied, “So they say…” Then I went back to 770 and davened mincha with the Rebbe. When the crowd split after the davening in order to give the Rebbe free passage, the Rebbe met my eyes While serving in the army, somewhere in the canal region, again and I felt that the Rebbe was Shmarya is sitting on the left saying to me: “You are my shliach and when they ask you whether you are a Chabadnik, you say, ‘So they One day a part broke when we were in say?!’” When the Rebbe wants to convey Beirut and we went to buy a a message, he knows how to do it replacement part. Picture it – in the through thought, too. *** middle of a war, a Chabad mitzvah A major change in his life took place on Yud Shevat 5741 (1981). tank stopped and someone goes in to Shmarya went from the yeshiva in buy a part from the Lebanese. Morristown to 770 with other bachurim, in order to be with the what you did with the mitzvah that of the army. Rebbe. tanks? Do you agree with the many One morning he met R’ Dovid Someone once said, in order to people who say that you remained Nachshon. Dovid suggested that be successful in tank work, you have a commander? Your way of Shmarya take charge of the mitzvah to be as disciplined as soldiers in the speaking, your instructions/orders tanks in Israel. Shmarya asked the army. Mitzvah tank work is hard are that of a commander, as are the Rebbe and the Rebbe responded, “I and demanding. It’s a 24-hour a day briefings and summations that you will mention it at the gravesite.” job. When you take a tank out, you do before and after every activity. “A new chapter in my life began. can’t just leave it there. Could be. I don’t see myself so I That was also the year I married. In the event that a tank gets can’t say for sure. Actually, I would When I began working, there were stuck or it needs urgent supplies you say that we greatly improved our two mitzvah tanks. I began have to have a support system in decision-making process. I think organizing our activities while R’ place. Setting up such a support that we do things even more Nachshon was the chairman who system is a complicated business. effectively than in the military. took care of all the financial and Today, it’s hard for me to isolate What is your work on mitzvah administrative work.” what I took from my days in the tanks like? You began working with the IDF, but a project like “Caravan of It’s not like going out on mitzvah tanks, a project that uses Light” that we do during Chanukah, mivtzaim for an hour or two. Our military jargon. Is there a parallel as well as other projects, are work is our life. Whoever has between your army service and definitely done in a style similar to worked on the tanks over the years

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 738 19 Putting t’fillin on with soldiers while under fire from Lebanon

passed close by and the driver THE TROOPS TELL ABOUT THEIR COMMANDER quickly got out of the area. Shmarya=discipline We were eleven guys on the tank Shmarya=perfect obedience, no arguing and we spent weeks with the IDF Those who worked with the mitzvah tanks knew that when Shmarya soldiers, who were very interested in said something there was no arguing with him. Order meant everything working with us. Thousands of to him. When the tankists sold religious items in distant yishuvim and soldiers put on t’fillin. came back with more money than was recorded in the receipt books, It was surrealistic with Chassidic they were fined. When they expressed their astonishment (and music playing in the streets of annoyance), Shmarya said, “There must be order.” Beirut. I remember that one day a Shmarya would do spot checks on the tanks to see firsthand how part broke when we were in Beirut they were doing. When he ascertained their location, he would surprise and we went to buy a replacement them. After reaching their location by car he would ask them to pull part. Picture it – in the middle of a over on the side of the road and he would inspect the tank. If he found war, a Chabad mitzvah tank stopped it less than spotless, he would take them to task. and someone goes in to buy a part The tankists never complained when it came from Shmarya because from the Lebanese. they knew that he demanded the same standards of himself. What other special and interesting activities did you do when you worked with the mitzvah feels that mivtzaim are their life so We spent a few weeks on the tanks? that it’s not so much that the tank Lebanon front. One of our tanks, The Rebbe started Tzivos makes the man, as much as man and tank number four, took four enemy Hashem in 5741 and we developed tank are a match for each other. bullets. I am aware of the fact that it throughout Israel. We took it Going out on mitzvah tanks is someone with a civilian mindset seriously. We operated in 600 not like going out on mivtzaim for wouldn’t do what we did, and we yishuvim simultaneously and an hour or two. Our work is our life. definitely “got it over the head” from branches of Tzivos Hashem were When you first started working some people. started all over the country. with mitzvah tanks, you entered We had instructions from the There was also the “Boruch Lebanon while it was under fire, Rebbe to coordinate with the army Haba Melech HaMoshiach” which was highly dangerous. Is and we did. The army gave us the project … that something that you brought go-ahead and we even entered war Yes. In 5753, we essentially over from your army days? zones. On one occasion, a missile eliminated the aura of reticence and

20 9 Iyar 5770 BEIS MOSHIACH embarrassment that had seeped into “Boruch Haba Melech HaMoshiach” been using this time to apply his Chabad since Khaf-Zayin Adar. At tanks went all over the country and talents to other areas and means of that time Chabad was pretty much publicized the fact that the Rebbe is spreading the wellsprings. Even so, paralyzed on the topic of Moshiach Moshiach. Shmarya Harel’s personal dream until our “Tanks” got out there *** remains to lead the caravan of tanks ahead of the troops and cleared a Due to a series of financial that goes forth to welcome path for the rank and file Chabadnik setbacks, the Mitzva Tanks in Eretz Moshiach. to explain how Moshiach and Geula Yisroel have been operating on a are here and now. The caravan of more limited basis. Shmarya has Make a “Mivtzah Kashrus” in your own computer! Introducing JNET-The world wide web without the world wide worryTM While The Internet can be a helpful tool for business, experts that will solve your problems fast. education and personal use it can also be a potentially Most important, you can now get the JNET Advantage for dangerous one. only a bit more than non-filtered on line providers. That's why J Net was created. If you're ready for the world wide web without the world wide Using exclusive multi-tiered intelligent filtration, the J Net worry, you're ready for JNet. portal is probably the most effective consumer resource for DIAL UP DSL Unlimited Access 24 Tech Support eliminating material not conducive to our needs. 4 Profiles per More than virtually foolproof, J .NET is also easy - both to Account Web Mail install and use. Plus its available in both dialup and high Call us toll free at 1-866-866-JNET (5638) speed DSL and backed by highly trained customer service (mention code “770” for special ANASH Rate)

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BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 738 21 feature

I’d be going the following week. She asked me whether I was traveling via London and I said I was. She asked BESSER me, ‘Can you visit Leibel?’ I realized she had not been told that he had died. R’ Benzion Shemtov told me that the Rebbe had decided to keep this information from her. AND EVEN “Over time, my relationship with the Rebbe’s family got closer, as the following incident illustrates. I had to report to the Rebbe about a certain family matter. It was Elul BESSER and R’ Chadakov told me that there was no yechidus that month. I had no choice but to tell the Rebbe in a letter that I was recently in Eretz By Menachem Ziegelboim Yisroel and was asked to speak to Pictures: from the archives of the Algemeiner Journal him about a certain family matter. “At seven in the morning I got a phone call from R’ Chadakov: ‘The Sixteen years ago I visited Rabbi Rebbe wants to see you.’ “‘When?’ I asked. R’ Chadakov Chatzkel Besser a”h in his Manhattan said that since in Elul there was no yechidus, I could pick any day and office, where he shared some of his time I wanted. Of course, I said I memories of the hours he spent with the would come when the Rebbe wanted me to come. In the end, we arranged Rebbe. A talmid chacham, Chassid, and a meeting for seven that evening. R’ Chatzkel Besser continued askan of the previous generation, his emotionally, “What can I tell you? I walked in and the Rebbe got up with was one of the most fascinating a broad smile, took me by the arm and sat me down. I protested, ‘I interviews I’ve conducted. * Part 2 of 2. don’t sit.’ The Rebbe smiled and said, ‘Today it’s not yechidus. You THE REBBE topic, he spoke more slowly and can sit. You have as much as time as WAS A FRIEND carefully weighed his words. It was you want. The bell won’t ring.’ The apparent that he withheld more than Rebbe himself was sitting completely R’ Chatzkel Besser was a he said but that which could be differently than he did in yechidus. shtadlan (lobbyist) par excellence. publicized was also quite fascinating: Even the desk wasn’t in the usual “He had an amazing ability to “My connection with the Rebbe place. connect with people,” say those who began through his brother, R’ Yisroel “The Rebbe was in a special knew him. “He would travel to Aryeh Leib. The Rebbe knew about mood and spoke very openly. He Washington DC with the head of our relationship but interestingly, he behaved more like a friend than like Agudath Israel of America for every never asked me about his brother. a Rebbe and he shared many sharp meeting concerning communal Because of my connection, I would insights and stories. We spoke about matters, and would use his natural regularly visit Rebbetzin Chana and many things and then suddenly, in talent to motivate people to do as he would occasionally visit the Rebbe’s the middle of the conversation, the wished.” wife, too. Rebbe turned very serious. He said, Because of his abilities, R’ “After the Rebbe’s brother passed ‘You knew my brother well. Perhaps Chatzkel had warm ties with various away, I once went to visit Rebbetzin you will tell me something of him?’ members of the Lubavitch royal Chana and she asked me when I was This was the first time in all those family. When we discussed this going to travel to Europe. I told her years that the Rebbe asked me about

22 9 Iyar 5770 BEIS MOSHIACH his brother. “I began talking and the Rebbe listened. For most of the time he was quiet. He once interjected, ‘They told me he had a good head, a gevaldige kup.’ I was a little taken aback that the Rebbe said, ‘they told me,’ because I assumed the Rebbe knew his brother well. “Interestingly, R’ Leibel didn’t speak much about the Rebbe, either. For two years, I knew him well without knowing that he was the Rebbe’s brother. In those days, he went by the name Gurary. I once asked him if he was a relative of the well-known Gurary family. He said he was, and added, “My brother is the son-in-law of the Lubavitcher Rebbe.” At first I thought he meant he was a brother of R’ Shmaryahu Gurary, but when his wife told me that her husband’s name was actually Schneersohn, I realized that he was the Rebbe’s brother. After 1951, I no longer saw him so we no R’ Chatzkel Besser receiving kos shel bracha from the Rebbe longer had opportunity to talk about the Rebbe. crowd. Each person said shalom to mention that I had heard that the “I will tell you a few things from the Belzer Rebbe while he shook new Belzer Rebbe would be coming that meeting with the Rebbe. The their hand with a towel over his to see the Rebbe the following day before, Rabbi Shapiro, the son hand. When the Rebbe approached week.’ They asked me to say,’ I told of the Naroler Rebbe – who are and greeted him, the Belzer Rebbe him, ‘that since the Belzer Rebbe Belzer Chassidim – came to me. The looked up, took off the towel, and was new to the position and a young present Belzer Rebbe was a new shook his hand. The Rebbe was man, he needed chizuk and they Rebbe at the time and they told me dressed like everyone else but the asked that the Rebbe encourage he was going to meet with the Belzer Rebbe said, “He has a warm him.’ Rebbe. hand.”‘ “Since the topic came up, the “At that time, I had a friend in “I met many times with Itche Rebbe began telling me about the Manhattan named Itche Meir Meir. The night I was supposed to previous Belzer Rebbe, whom he had Firstenberg, a Gerrer Chassid who have yechidus, I told him that I was met in Berlin. The Rebbe said that used to live in Berlin. He was going to the Rebbe and he asked me he was both a great tzaddik and friendly with the Rebbe during the to mention him. When I spoke to the tremendously knowledgeable and period when the Rebbe was in Rebbe, I said I had regards from mentioned his proficiency in Orach Berlin. ‘You should know’, he told Itche Meir Firstenberg and the Chaim. The Rebbe said the Belzer me, ‘that even in Berlin of those Rebbe said, ‘Ah, Firstenberg. Is he Rebbe gave him shirayim and days, the Rebbe was elevated above still so sharp?’ mentioned the halachos about the the rest. He had unusual yiras “I told the Rebbe that I did not necessary shiur for a bracha before Shamayim.’ know how he used to be but he was and afterwards. “He told me that he remembered very sharp. The Rebbe smiled and “At this point, the Rebbe the day the Belzer Rebbe, R’ Aharon, said, ‘Thank you for the regards. mentioned the story about the arrived in Berlin. Firstenberg said, Give him a warm regards from me. Tzemach Tzedek who had made a ‘The Rebbe was a young man and he He took me to the Belzer Rebbe.’ bracha on a slice of bread though he wanted to meet the Belzer Rebbe so “I took the opportunity to had a whole loaf in front of him as we went together. There was a large

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 738 23 technically the host’s property; on TAKING CARE OF THE LIVING the other hand, since the host gave it R’ Besser often traveled to Poland and worked on renovating to him, you could say it became his. cemeteries. Before one of these trips he went to the Rebbe for a dollar “The Tzemach Tzedek and told him about the purpose of his trip. The Rebbe said, “You don’t continued, ‘You brought me all these need to work only for the cemeteries of Poland but also for the living. fruits, but you did not bring a knife See to it, for example, that it will be possible to obtain kosher food in and how could I eat without one? I Poland.” saw that only one apple was cut and R’ Besser was successful in getting Mr. Lauder, the American understood that you didn’t want me ambassador in Vienna at the time, interested in Polish Jewry. Mr. to eat from the fruits except for the Lauder wanted to do more than repair cemeteries and he enlisted the sliced apple. I was concerned about aid of Mr. David Chase to develop programs to rebuild Jewish stealing – a halacha in Choshen communities in Poland that were destroyed during the war. When he Mishpat – for you did not want me told R’ Besser, he advised him to ask the Rebbe about it. to eat anything but this, so this was R’ Besser said, “I had brought Mr. Lauder to the Rebbe several what I chose.’ times before and he became an admirer of the Rebbe. This time, he also “The hosts said, ‘We see that you brought along his mother. This meeting took place in 5748. are not only a talmid chacham but “That night, the Rebbe davened in his house. After Maariv, also a chacham.’ everybody left the house and the three of us spoke to the Rebbe about “The meeting with the Rebbe the matter. The Rebbe listened and answered in English, saying he did lasted two and a half hours. At 9:30, not think it was worthwhile to rebuild Judaism in Poland and it was time for Maariv but the Rebbe Czechoslovakia. He spoke at length and explained why Jewish did not leave. I said that the communities should not be built in Poland.” congregation was waiting for A year later, the Rebbe said in a farbrengen that the Jews in Poland Maariv, but the Rebbe waved should be helped to preserve their Judaism but not to rebuild there. dismissively as a sign that we should When Mr. Lauder concluded his stint as ambassador, he started a fund continue. The conversation for the purpose of reconstructing Jewish communities in continued for another fifteen underdeveloped countries and stayed away from Poland. minutes. “I’m telling you – the atmosphere in the room...the Rebbe spoke to me and I spoke to the Rebbe,” R’ Besser “Fifteen minutes later my wife came out said emotionally. “I can’t forget those two hours in the Rebbe’s and motioned that the Rebbe wanted presence. What can I tell you? It me to enter. When I entered the room, wasn’t only spiritual pleasure, but actual physical pleasure. the Rebbe welcomed me with a smile “I would say that the Rebbe, as it were, removed his Rebbishe clothes. and said, ‘My friend is here and did not Whenever I came, the Rebbe was the Rebbe, with all that entails, but at come in?’” that meeting there was a completely different atmosphere. well. Afterwards, he explained that it probably think that fruits of the “On another occasion, my wife was because there was no knife Seven Kinds or that which is wanted to consult with the Rebbe available. Later on, I saw that this preferred should go first. – But about something. I told her the door story was published, but the way I while you were thinking about is open but I don’t want to ask about remember it the Rebbe said it as Orach Chaim, I was thinking about it, so she arranged a yechidus for follows: the question in the Choshen Mishpat herself. On the appointed day, I took The table was full of different from Gemara Kiddushin about a her to 770 and waited in the car kinds of fruit. The Tzemach Tzedek guest who received a chicken to eat while she went to see the Rebbe. chose half an apple and said a and used it to be mekadesh a “Fifteen minutes later she came bracha. Noticing people around the woman. It asks whether the out and motioned that the Rebbe table looking at one another, he kiddushin is valid as the chicken was wanted me to enter. When I entered asked: ‘Was that a test? You given to him just for eating and is the room, the Rebbe welcomed me

24 9 Iyar 5770 BEIS MOSHIACH with a smile and said, ‘My friend is here and did not come in?’ “I explained that I hadn’t made an appointment. The Rebbe laughed and said, ‘Rav Kahana ate because of his wife.’ The hint was understood.”

THE REBBETZIN’S CLEVERNESS R’ Besser also knew Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka. The Rebbetzin invited him and his family to be her guests during the sheva brachos of his grandson (“We went to her house with the chassan and kalla and drank l’chaim”). He remembers her mainly for the following incident. When the Rebbe’s niece, Dalia gave birth to a boy in Washington, the Rebbetzin was involved in arranging the bris and R’ Besser was the sandak. “That day, we spoke several times about the details of the bris. When we spoke about the baby’s name, Dalia suggested we ask the Rebbe. I was unable to reach the Rebbe, so I spoke instead with the Rebbetzin. I gathered from the conversation that she had spoken with the Rebbe but didn’t want me to know this. “The Rebbetzin told me she’d get back to me, and called back fifteen R’ Chatzkel Besser speaking at a Melaveh Malka for descendants of the Alter Rebbe minutes later to say, ‘The father and mother are the ones to decide the bris. Once again, the Rebbetzin said portion of his time to askanus. He name.’ she would call me back in fifteen was a member of the Presidium of “‘But they want to know what minutes. I realized she was Agudath Israel of America, member the Rebbe thinks the name should consulting with the Rebbe even of the Vaad Hapoel Haolami of be,’ I said. though she didn’t say so explicitly. Agudath Israel World Organization, “‘They should decide,’ she said. The Rebbetzin sent ten men to founding chairman of the Daf Yomi “‘Did the Rebbe say they should Washington for the bris, in addition commission (“I give a Daf Yomi decide?’ to a complete seuda. The child was shiur every morning.”), rav of the “She laughed, ‘You want me to named Ariel, after his grandfather, B’nei Yisroel Chaim shul in tell you only what I have to say?’ Rabbi Yisroel Aryeh Leib.” Manhattan, and an advisor regarding “‘No, I am sure that you are Poland for the Lauder Foundation, telling me that you spoke with the A TWENTY MINUTE yet he asked that we skip the Rebbe.’ CONVERSATION WITH conversations he had with the Rebbe about his communal work. “I don’t “‘I didn’t say that…’ THE REBBE OUTSIDE 770 “Then there was a discussion want to discuss my conversations about how and where to make the R’ Besser devoted a significant about the klal with a magazine.”

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 738 25 He agreed to tell one story, which demonstrates the unique relationship he had with the Rebbe. “I was very close with the Gerrer Rebbe, the Lev Simcha zt”l, and visited him whenever he was in Boro Park. In Elul, 5738, he told me he was invited to Chabad the next week and invited me to join him the following Monday at three o’clock. “One of the people who arranged the visit was my brother-in-law, Rabbi Nachman Elbaum. I told him I would go to 770 directly from my office but since I wanted to return in the car together with the Gerrer Rebbe, I asked him to reserve a seat for me.. “The Gerrer Rebbe arrived with a large entourage that swamped the entrance. There was the usual pushing and commotion, but slowly order prevailed and we entered the Rebbe’s room. “The Rebbe’s desk was on the side. When the Gerrer Rebbe entered, the Rebbe was the only one present. R’ Chadakov followed him and then R’ Leibel Groner and R’ Binyamin Klein. The two Rebbes sat facing one another on the same side of the desk and R’ Simcha Elberg and I stood on the side with R’ Chadakov. The others stood on the opposite side of the desk. “The discussion that ensued has been publicized already. The R’ Chatzkel Besser during the interview meeting was very friendly, and it was apparent that the two Rebbes liked one another. “SEMICHA” FROM THE REBBE “When the Gerrer Rebbe left, all 18 years ago, R’ Besser received “smicha” from the Rebbe. his Chassidim pushed after him and “The day of my son’s wedding, we went to ask for the Rebbe’s the Rebbe followed them to escort siddur and when we got there, we saw that there were another two the Gerrer Rebbe. I did not dare to chassanim. When the Rebbe came out with the siddur and saw three run ahead of the Rebbe and I chassanim, he said, ‘Since there are three chassanim, make a goral to followed behind until the main door see who will be first, second and third to use it.’ of 770. The Rebbe remained in the “Then he said to me, ‘You are a talmid chacham and a rav, and you doorway and I couldn’t go past him are “halachically ordained” to make a goral.’ to the Gerrer Rebbe’s car. The “Nu, so I publicly got ‘smicha.’ Rebbe raised his hand, walked a few “I made the goral and my son came out last. He said, ‘It’s good it more steps, and then stepped aside. worked out that way because the first and second have to hurry since Just as I reached the steps, the others are waiting for them, but I can daven in peace.’” Gerrer Rebbe’s car drove away without me.

26 9 Iyar 5770 BEIS MOSHIACH “The Rebbe turned to me and Rosenblum, who lately began aunt, attended my Daf Yomi shiur began talking to me. I was standing growing a beard. I asked him what every morning. He once told me near the Rebbe, opposite hundreds happened and he said that he that the Rebbe inquired with great of awestruck Chassidim, while the became a baal t’shuva and a Chassid interest about how I taught the daf. Rebbe spoke to me for twenty under the influence of the “I always avoided talking to the minutes!” Lubavitcher Rebbe. I figured that if Rebbe in learning. When I was fifty, *** he had such an impact on Prof. I had yechidus and mentioned my As far as his work in Aguda, R’ Rosenblum himself then there must age to the Rebbe. The Rebbe began Besser was only willing to say this. be something to this and he talking to me about a Rambam and “I head the Daf Yomi arranged an appointment for me to mentioned something connected to commission. I once wanted to meet the Rebbe.’ the event of my birthday. I did not publish a book of hadranim on Daf “At eleven o’clock that night he reply, as though I did not know Yomi from all the g’dolei ha’dor and came to my house and said in what he was referring to. It’s a I asked the Rebbe to contribute, too. amazement, ‘R’ Chatzkel, whatever principle of mine as a Chassid that I The Rebbe said that I could put his you said about the Rebbe wasn’t don’t want to talk to the Rebbe in hadranim on Shas in the book but I enough. I’ve just met with the Rebbe learning. In all encounters with the could not write that it was – what a personality! When I walked Rebbe, I knew I had to remember specifically for Daf Yomi, as he did in he spoke for more than half an who I was and who the Rebbe was. not receive a horaa from Beis Rebbi hour about the Chasam Sofer. As “There was one exception. When about this, though there was a great soon as he began to speak I could the Rebbe turned 72, I wrote a letter friendship between the Rebbe see that he was an expert in the to him in honor of the occasion, in a Rayatz and Rabbi Meir Shapiro, writings of the Chasam Sofer and he learned style and with sources and who initiated the Daf Yomi project. freely quoted from here and there. footnotes. “I understood that the Rebbe did “‘I was there for maybe an hour “That Pesach, my son stayed with not want Chabad to be included and a half. At the end of the visit, me and on Erev Pesach, he went to officially in this book and in the end the Rebbe said to me, “Rabbi Sofer, the Rebbe to get matzos. When he I gave up on the project altogether why don’t we see you here?” I told came back he said, ‘Thousands of because I didn’t want to print it the Rebbe that it was hard for me to people stood on line and each one without the Rebbe’s contribution. come late at night, and the Rebbe got a piece. I passed by the Rebbe “I have another story that I want asked when it was convenient for and continued walking when I was to tell you about a good friend of me. I said I could come at four in told the Rebbe wanted me. I went to mine, Rabbi Avrohom Sofer, who the afternoon and the Rebbe the Rebbe and he looked in a box of was known as Professor Schreiber,. agreed.’ matzos until he found a whole one, His father was one of the great “R’ Sofer began visiting the which he gave to me, and said, “Give tzaddikim of Hungary, the son of Rebbe every few weeks and it to your father and tell him yashar the K’sav Sofer. Professor Schreiber subsequently became a great ko’ach for the brachos.”‘ himself was a big talmid chacham, Chassid of his. The Rebbe began to He ended up getting a matza and as well as a professor in Columbia utilize him to spread Judaism. a warm thank you… University. He published the entire Before one of his trips to Israel the “On Chol HaMoed, I got a letter Meiri on Shas from manuscripts. Rebbe asked him what route he was with a postmark from 11 Nissan, “R’ Sofer sought connections taking. When R’ Sofer said he was which showed that the Rebbe with great men, and I once told him going via France, the Rebbe asked responded on the same day he about the Rebbe. ‘Don’t tell me him to spend time – at the Rebbe’s received my letter. In the letter the exaggerations of Chassidim about expense – for a few days in Italy in Rebbe thanked me and also their Rebbe,’ he protested. I decided order to carry out two missions in responded in a learned style.” he needed to meet the Rebbe and Bologna: to build a mikva and to see for himself. arrange for a kosher restaurant at “Sometime later he said to me, the university. R’ Sofer, who knew NOCH BESSER! ‘You know, I’m going to see your Italian, carried out these two instructions and then returned to “One time, when I passed Rebbe.’ When I asked him in the Rebbe, he said to me with a surprise, ‘Why now?’ he explained Israel. “I have another story for you. R’ smile, ‘Besser un noch besser!” that he had a friend at the university (Better and better) by the name of Professor Shlomo Orenstein, a Boyaner Chassid whose wife was the Rebbe’s

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 738 27 story

response.” After treating several people and seeing amazing results, he decided EVERY STEP to learn the technique in greater depth. He paid a visit to its originator, who turned transformed it from a theory in medicine to a practical healing tool. R’ Yeshaya OF THE WAY invested tens of thousands of dollars in a brand-new machine, which included treatments for a whole variety of medical and emotional By Nosson Avrohom problems that were not in the Translated By Michoel Leib Dobry original version of this device. “We have a fine method of healing that has helped us and many A medical miracle and clear answers other people, including some well- known personalities. The and guidance from the Rebbe led R’ conventional approaches don’t always supply the proper answers, as Yeshaya Brusilovsky to a path he’d we saw for ourselves. It was never have dreamed he’d take – a life of apparently decreed from Heaven that we should go through what we did t’shuva and a surprising career. in order to reveal this methodology to others.” If you would have asked R’ attempt the treatment. The process Yeshaya Brusilovsky from Petach did not take long, and months of REVEALING Tikva a few years ago if he saw his constant deterioration in her YIDDISHKEIT IN future in the field of medicine, he condition were reversed with the would chuckle at the very help of the therapy. R’ Yeshaya’s SUMMER CAMP suggestion. From his youth, he had wife was finally pronounced cured. Yeshaya was born in Kiev during been taught and loved the field of After seeing the effectiveness of the Lameds (1970s). His family’s computer programming, and it was this treatment, R’ Yeshaya was entire knowledge of Judaism could here that he saw his future. enthusiastic to share it with others. be summed up by the awareness that However, the ways of Divine He learned how to perform the they were Jews. “Our family was no Providence are hidden from man. therapy himself, and even purchased different than most other Jewish Just a few months after their the necessary medical apparatus to families in Kiev, which was then marriage, his wife was stricken with help others suffering from this under Soviet domination. We had debilitating arthritis. All the ailment. For R’ Yeshaya, this is more never heard of treatments they attempted in than a calling – it’s a shlichus. Shabbos, or even Yom Kippur. hospitals throughout Israel merely “This medical approach is Though we knew next to nothing worsened her condition. recognized in Germany and other about our Jewish identity, our A phone conversation with a countries throughout Europe, Gentile neighbors made sure we shliach in the former Soviet Union including the former Soviet Union,” never forgot about it, constantly was the unexpected turning point in R’ Yeshaya explains. “It is based on persecuting and harassing us due to this distressing situation. An the principle that every component our Judaism. acquaintance of this shliach had also of the body sends off “My parents suffered much from suffered from early-onset arthritis, electromagnetic waves, and if we anti-Semitism. I endured far less, and he was cured with the help of manage to surpass these waves, it’s perhaps because I was shy and Bioresonance therapy. The shliach’s possible to destroy the bacteria and reserved or because I studied description of this relatively treat the root of the problem. This subjects that my peers in school unknown therapy intrigued R’ approach identifies most ailments, considered to be more intellectual. Yeshaya, and he urged his wife to and provides the appropriate The primary victims of anti- Semitism were those who came from

28 9 Iyar 5770 BEIS MOSHIACH weaker homes and had difficulties in lacking anything. “When, without to the right place, that I somehow their studies. However, even I didn’t much effort, your daily agenda is belonged there. It’s impossible to manage to escape the sour filled with such intellectual subjects, describe this in words, but I felt as if expressions on the faces of the more you don’t feel the need to look for I had revealed something that had ‘privileged’ youth. Although they anything else,” he says. “What could been planted deep within me for never said so explicitly, I felt that I be out there to look for that I didn’t many years. and the other Jews in the class were already know? “The organizer of the summer unworthy of proper treatment by “The first time that I was camp was Rabbi Michoel Manis, of these peers. exposed to Torah and mitzvos was blessed memory, who worked for the “My favorite pastime was chess. when one of my close friends, ‘Ezras Achim’ Organization. With From a very young age, chess was Zhenia, told me about a seminar for each passing day, my Jewish soul my whole world and it occupied all young people being organized by illuminated more and more. They of my leisure time. My great-aunt Jews from the United States. He told us stories about Judaism and was the Ukrainian national chess said that they were bringing clean taught us how to daven and learn champion, and the game flowed and healthy food with them from To r a h . through the veins of our entire overseas, a big draw in the Ukraine “Naturally, the counselors told us family. At the age of eleven, I at that time, due to the radioactive about the Rebbe and his activities registered with a chess club and contamination seeping out from throughout the world, and we were made spectacular progress, Chernobyl. He added that this very impressed. At the end of camp, obtaining several high ranks. In seminar was only for members of the each of us wrote a letter to the those days, it was a point of Jewish faith, and admission was free Rebbe about our feelings and considerable respect to be a winning of charge. dreams. Within that relatively short chess player. People, particularly “This sounded wonderful, and period of time, they had succeeded those in the ruling government, gave when I asked my parents, they in instilling within us the greatness much honor to those who had naturally agreed wholeheartedly. of the Rebbe, helping us to create success in matters of intellect.” Free? Why not? and internalize a deep connection to Yeshaya’s life was that of a From the first moment that I him. “captive child” in its fullest sense. stepped foot inside the summer “I had already completed my first He didn’t even feel that he was camp grounds, I felt that I had come semester of studies in computer

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 738 29 t’fillin.’ The yeshiva administration understood from the Rebbe’s answer that he wanted me to remain in yeshiva. My t’fillin were checked, and they were found not to be stringently kosher. “One person who had a tremendous amount of influence on me and from whom I learned much was the chassidic mashpia, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Futerfas. At the end of my yeshiva studies in Kfar Chabad, I decided to complete my degree in computer programming, and I entered a crash course that gave me all the information and knowledge I programming at that point, but program for six months. Not long required. I always thought that I had despite my great love for the field afterwards, rumors began to thrown away all of my studies in the and my dream of becoming a circulate that anyone who didn’t Ukraine in order to go learn in programmer, I left everything to go cross the Ukrainian border before yeshiva, but G-d does not remain in learn in the yeshiva that Rabbi the country was granted debt. After I had become a full- Manis had established in Kiev. independence, would be conscripted fledged Torah observant Jew, He During my first days studying in the into the Ukrainian army. Rabbi provided me with a golden yeshiva, I underwent a bris mila, Karasik helped me obtain an airline opportunity to finish my studies and with a wooden table serving as the ticket and sent me to Eretz Yisroel, fulfill my dream. Later, I started operating table… where I began studying at Yeshivas working for the VeriFone “I progressed in my Jewish Tomchei T’mimim in Kfar Chabad. Corporation, where I was the only studies with a deep spiritual longing, While in yeshiva, I increased my Torah observant Jew. I still work beyond all logic and reason. My knowledge of Torah and mitzvos, there today. The hi-tech market was parents, who knew nothing about and I became a Lubavitcher in every soaring at the time, and I was Yiddishkait, were certain that I had respect, right down to the chassidic privileged to receive expressions of lost my mind. The path I had chosen garb. great appreciation for my was most unacceptable in “Rabbi Karasik and I planned contribution to the company’s accordance with the way of life in that I would remain in Eretz Yisroel success.” those days. They tried to dissuade for a certain amount of time, and me and asked me to return to my upon receiving Israeli citizenship, I THE REBBE – WITH HIM computer studies, but I remained would fly back to the Ukraine with EVERY STEP OF THE WAY steadfast in my decision. The an Israeli passport and begin After reaching marriageable age, bachurim who helped us to take our working on the Rebbe’s shlichus, with no promising prospects on the first steps in Judaism were Rabbi without the need to worry about the horizon, R’ Yeshaya decided to rent Asher Ze’ev Deitsch from Petach local authorities. I was already an apartment near his place of work Tikva, Rabbi Moshe Heber from deeply rooted in the Chabad in Petach Tikva. There, he would Nachlat Har Chabad, and Rabbi experience, and it was clear to me host Shabbosim for Soviet Eliezer Karogliak from Kfar Chabad that I must ask the Rebbe before immigrants who wished to – all of whom came on the Rebbe’s making any decision. I wrote to the strengthen their Torah observance. shlichus within the framework of the Rebbe about this plan and asked for “After I turned twenty-five years ‘Ezras Achim’ Organization. I have his consent to leave the yeshiva. The old, I started making serious maintained contact with them to this Rebbe’s reply was not long in inquiries regarding shidduchim. day. coming: ‘In accordance with the During that period of time, I was “Later, Rabbi Berel Karasik advice of the administration of the without a mashpia and all my efforts arrived, from whom I also learned a yeshiva where he learns now. I will to find someone suitable were to no great deal. I stayed in the yeshiva mention it at the Tziyon. Check the avail. This was a very confusing time

30 9 Iyar 5770 BEIS MOSHIACH for me: Though I very much wanted to raise a chassidic family and build my future life, I was totally preoccupied with my work. “At a certain point, I wrote to the Rebbe that I had been left without a mashpia, and I asked if he could provide me with a chassidic model whom I could emulate and turn to for advice. I don’t remember what the Rebbe’s answer was, but I simply can’t forget what happened the following morning: “I arrived in shul to daven as I did every morning, and one of the Anash members there put his hand on my shoulder and said, ‘Shaya, I really understand you. I also got A group picture at summer camp with the avreichim married at a later age. I know all too who helped bring him back to Yiddishkait well the difficulties you’re facing.’ I was bewildered, but couldn’t ignore Not only was the pain not eased by the the incident. Just yesterday, I had asked the Rebbe to find me a person medication, it intensified from day to who could understand me and with whom I could connect, and the very day until it became positively next morning someone approaches me in such a caring manner. I asked unbearable. We tried all types of him if he could be my mashpia. His eyes opened wide, his tone of voice natural remedies and alternative became quite emotional, and he then treatments, but nothing seemed to work. asked if he could tell me something. “He related that prior to his approached him, he received another Rebbe, calm down a bit, and then wedding, he had been very well-liked clear answer from the Rebbe that he with my renewed strengths and an by bachurim his age, many of whom must be a mashpia, and there’s no understanding of what marriage is – consulted with him as a kind of possibility of avoiding the issue. He come back and deal with the subject. mashpia. After he got married, many showed the Rebbe’s answer to his He gave me guidance on how to of these bachurim asked him if he wife, and this time she gave her approach the company’s directors to would be their ‘Aseh Lecha Rav’. He consent – on the condition that he request an unpaid leave of absence devoted himself to the task, and would serve as mashpia to only one for one year. Miraculously, they these young men started coming to person. When I came to him the were very understanding and gave see him – but it was at the expense very next day with the request that their permission. He arranged for of his family life. Eventually, his wife he should be my mashpia, it was me to join the k’vutza studying in asked him to stop being their clear to both of us that the Rebbe Beis Chayeinu, despite the fact that mashpia and spend more time with had arranged this personally. His it was Pesach and already halfway his own children. With no eyes sparkled with emotion, and I into the year. Those were marvelous alternative, he agreed, but when he was delighted at this affirmation that days, which redefined my whole wrote to the Rebbe via ‘Igros the Rebbe had received my letter and concept of hiskashrus. Kodesh,’ the Rebbe replied with a was taking care of me. We arranged “Six months later, during the letter on the need for him to be the to meet later that same day. month of Tishrei, I was greeted in image of a mashpia. He tried to “After I presented him with my ‘Beis Chayeinu’ by a friend of mine soften his wife’s opposition to his current situation, he gave me his – Rabbi Dovber Beitman from involvement in such matters, but his opinion. He said that I should take a Dnepropetrovsk, who worked there efforts proved unsuccessful. vacation from work, go to the with the ‘Beis Chana’ seminary for “Then, on the night before I

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 738 31 women. I asked him if he smoothly,” R’ Yeshaya knew of a possible shidduch recalled. “Then one day, my for me, and he suggested I wife started to feel sharp wait until the end of the year pains in her ankle. We went of study in 770, when it to our family doctor, and would be appropriate to after he checked her leg, he discuss the matter again. gave her an ordinary pain- When the year ended on killing medication. However, Zayin MarCheshvan, I not only was the pain not presented the idea to my eased by the medication, it mashpia, and when he gave intensified from day to day me his approval, I asked the until it became positively Rebbe for a bracha. unbearable. We turned to the “In the letter I received family doctor again, and he from the Rebbe in Igros made an appointment for us Kodesh, he wrote that the with a rheumatologist. In the days between Yud Kislev and meantime, until the day of Yud-Tes Kislev are most the appointment, we tried all auspicious ones. At first, I types of natural remedies and didn’t attach much attention alternative treatments, but to this since it was still nothing seemed to work. MarCheshvan. I planned to “The rheumatologist be in the Ukraine within a explained that my wife was few days, but things didn’t HaRav Yochanan Gurary’s letter suffering from a form of work out that way. The arthritis, which was rather embassy informed me that I would at the right time.” unusual for a young woman only have to wait two weeks before The Brusilovskys’ wedding took twenty-one years of age. She receiving my entry visa, so I didn’t place on a day no less auspicious – suggested that my wife take end up boarding the plane until the Yud Shvat. The following day, they morphine pills to dull the pain, but 12th of Kislev. I stayed in Kiev for emigrated to Eretz Yisroel, where they didn’t help. The condition only two days, visiting my parents and they joyously celebrated ‘Sheva worsened and even spread to other old friends whom I hadn’t seen for a Brachos’ with their close friends and parts of her body. We returned to long time. I arrived in acquaintances. the doctor, and she suggested that a Dnepropetrovsk on the 14th of “I felt that the Rebbe was small dosage of chemotherapy pills Kislev, staying at the home of my accompanying me every step of the and steroids might do the trick and friend, Rabbi Dovber Beitman. The way, which made my sense of joy asked us to come back in one very next day, the 15th of Kislev, I doubly great. The company that I month. By the time we returned to had my first meeting with my future worked for prior to my trip to the Tel HaShomer Hospital, my wife wife, who worked for the ‘Beis Rebbe welcomed me back with open was already in a wheelchair. Chana’ seminary. As amazing as it arms, and my wife started working “Not only weren’t the might seem, on the 17th of Kislev, for the ‘Moreh Geula’ organization, medications helping, one doctor who we were already discussing headed by Rabbi Michoel Gotzel. went over the blood tests claimed establishing a home together, and on People would call her in order to that the pills my wife was taking Yud-Tes Kislev, we celebrated our write to the Rebbe and she would were harming her immune system. vort with the participation of the translate the answers for them. She We felt literally helpless, and we community’s rabbis. also worked in translations for Rabbi didn’t know what to do. On the one “When the vort was over, I Lugov’s website.” hand, current treatments were not recalled the Rebbe’s letter about how helping and were even causing the days between Yud Kislev and SALVATION CAME damage. On the other hand, the pain Yud-Tes Kislev are auspicious ones. I THROUGH THE REBBE’S was too excruciating to ignore, and couldn’t help but feel a sense of SHLIACH needed to be dealt with. In the deep emotion. The Rebbe, the hospital ward, we met other people merciful father, had found the right “Life was good and pleasant, and suffering from the same complaint, mashpia to give me the right advice everything seemed to be going quite and we realized that the doctors

32 9 Iyar 5770 BEIS MOSHIACH were only treating the symptoms, not the ailment itself. We constantly wrote to the Rebbe on the matter and received special brachos. But how would this all end and what were we to do? “Then, the help came in a way we had least expected. In the first months after we arrived in Eretz Yisroel, we thought about going out on shlichus. We both owed our current path in life to the Rebbe’s shluchim, and wanted to share this gift with others. Thus, we made inquiries among our friends and acquaintances, telling all of them that we were looking for a place to go out on shlichus. A while later, when my wife was already in the midst of her serious medical condition, we received a call from one of the shluchim from a large city in the former Soviet Union, with a R’ Yeshaya Brusilovsky demonstrates how the device works proposal of a place of shlichus for us. For whatever reason, we opened noticed a marked improvement in treatment was sent by Divine up to him and told him about her condition. She was no longer Providence for our benefit.” everything we had been going suffering from those intense pains, through. and within a few months, everything A SCIENTIFIC “I told him that I wanted very had disappeared as if it had never APPROACH much to go out on shlichus, but that been. After we saw the treatment’s Before R’ Yeshaya explained the my wife’s medical condition did not effectiveness, we decided to learn it actual approach and how it works, allow it at the present time. After in order to help others. We asked the he made it clear that this is not some giving a brief description of what my doctor to teach us this marvelous ‘grandmother’s remedy’ like some of wife was enduring, he questioned us healing approach, and she gladly the accepted alternative methods; it closely about the specifics of her agreed. We became quite friendly is a scientifically proven medical condition. I didn’t understand why with her, and over a period of a few approach. This is a technique that he was so interested in all the months, she had taught us deals with the root of the problem, details. ‘Look,’ he eventually told everything. instead of just containing the me, ‘I know someone who had “Before returning to Eretz symptoms. exactly the same problem, and she Yisroel, we paid a large sum of The treatment via Bioresonance was cured by a woman here in my money to buy the amazing therapy is divided into two parts. city.’ A glimmer of hope was kindled Bioresonance therapy device, which First, naturally, comes the diagnosis. within me, and a few days later, my we brought back with us. Yet, we R’ Yeshaya explained how the device wife and I landed in that city. There didn’t feel that we understood enables for a diagnosis of the patient we were introduced to the medical enough to treat others. Though we and the medical difficulties that approach that saved my wife – used it occasionally to give brought him/her to require Bioresonance therapy. treatments to close friends and treatment: “At the very first treatment, the family, for the most part the device “Every component of the human doctor already predicted my wife with proven ability sat unused in the body – cells, tissue, limbs – emits would be walking again within the closet. specific electromagnetic waves that month. This was a dream that we “Five years have passed since have a coordinated influence on the questioned would actually be then, and Baruch Hashem, all is rest of the biological system. realized, yet that’s exactly what well. We have been blessed with Together, these waves form an happened. After a few weeks, we children, and we see that this

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 738 33 overall profile of the patient, bacteria had disappeared. I treated decided I would speak to the rav of something like a personal template, someone else whose doctor had Cholon, Rabbi Yochanan Gurary. as the waves of a healthy individual given him medication that he wasn’t “Before turning to him, I wrote are structured differently than those sure would work. He came to us, to the Rebbe via Igros Kodesh about of someone who is ill. Each ailment and we treated him successfully. The my plans. has its own ‘frequency’, and by the doctor was very impressed, and the The Rebbe’s answer appeared in Vol. same token, certain frequencies can patient said that we had treated 6, pg. 360, and the word that prevent the development of an him.” immediately jumped out at me was ailment, while other frequencies can As a Chabad chassid, R’ Yeshaya ‘Gurary’. I didn’t need more than even heal the body from given recalls the Rebbe’s sicha about the that; I understood that the Rebbe ailments.” development of external forms of was pleased by my desire to consult After the diagnosis, the treatment wisdom as a stepping stone in the with Rabbi Gurary. I called him, and is divided into two types. The first world’s march to the days of he agreed to meet with me. I told and more widespread method is by Moshiach, in parallel to the flow of him about this healing approach and using higher electromagnetic G-dly wisdom. how it had helped my wife. I also frequencies to attack illnesses on said that there was a new and more lower frequencies. LEARNING FROM THE updated device, which I wanted to “There’s another approach, the APPROACH’S FOUNDER bring to Eretz Yisroel. Rabbi Gurary one that we learned and which was emphatically told me to go to Kiev to used to treat my wife. In this Until a few months ago, R’ meet with Professor Sartzok. method, water is placed in an Yeshaya reserved this device only for “The professor taught me many electromagnetic field together with his close friends and acquaintances. things, and he eventually sold me the the medication used to cure the While he was disturbed by the fact newest version of his healing device ailment, and then given to the that he had access to this tool and with codes for a wide assortment of patient to drink. This may sound like was doing nothing with it, feelings problems, including treatment of some kind of home remedy, but it of concern also gnawed away at him. emotional disorders and really works. When we came to the What finally caused him to start strengthening of the immune system. doctor who taught us this approach, using it openly was a meeting with The new device has a range of she told us that she learned it when the founder of this approach, fascinating possibilities, e.g., she contracted a serious illness and Professor Sartzok of Kiev. “I treatment of infertility on the level of it eventually saved her life. thought that I would never be able DNA programming.” “The way this device works is to reach him, but I recently decided In the months since he started simply unbelievable. It operates to try. While this professor’s working with the new device, R’ through codes that are entered into research is based upon someone Shaya has successfully dealt with a its memory banks for the purpose of else’s findings, it was he who wide variety of cases. As per his identifying the problem and also advanced it in practical terms, request, many of those whom he has helping us to construct the bringing it down from mere theory treated, including certain prominent medication that can cure the patient. to actual application. Chabad figures, contacted me and Everything – the medications, the “I managed to get in touch with told about the amazing results. diagnoses, etc. – has a scientific him, and he said that he would be “You have to understand that this basis and is written in very clear happy to teach me how it works. I is an absolutely scientific treatment, language.” took his offer as a great compliment, already accepted in numerous R’ Yeshaya described the process and I invested a great deal of time countries throughout the world. with great enthusiasm. “The facts and effort in learning his healing Eretz Yisroel already has a lesser show that it works. Within just five approach. I knew that I was version of this healing approach, but days, it removes the bacteria, and we standing at a major crossroads: If I the more updated version has not yet often saw literal miracles. There was continued to learn this process from been recognized. We personally a woman who was in the early stages its originator, while using up experienced how this device saved of pregnancy, diagnosed with a form considerable funds, I would have an my wife. Who knows where she of bacterial infection, and the obligation to be involved in its would be if it hadn’t been for this doctors wanted to terminate her practice. My mashpia had moved treatment – and today we use it to pregnancy. We treated her with this overseas with his family, and when I help others.” device, and at her next examination, spoke with him, he suggested that I the doctors confirmed that the consult with a rabbinical authority. I

34 9 Iyar 5770 BEIS MOSHIACH shlichus

devotion.” It was already getting late, and we parked our car in the parking lot WHO of the Amirey Hagalil Hotel, located in a forested area between Moshav Shefer and Kibbutz Farod. Nothing had prepared me for the tent of Moshe Genish, in a rear courtyard DOESNT with an amazingly breathtaking view over the blossoming valley. He’s been living there for close to two decades with his family and children. Pillows and carpets are spread out LOVE THE all over the lobby with an improvised library and wood-fueled central heating. Moshe greets us warmly, and after giving a hug and a kiss to his rav, Rabbi Shiffman, he goes to REBBE? prepare the tent for the weekly chassidus shiur. As Moshe makes the preparations, Rabbi Shiffman shows By Nosson Avrohom me around this gem of a place, and I Translated By Michoel Leib Dobry am thrilled to discover an Aron Kodesh, a sanctuary, a stringently kosher mikveh, and numerous Rabbi Aharon Shiffman is the Rebbe’s s’farim in chassidus perused regularly by tourists and drifters who shliach in charge of Chabad activities visit the premises. My curiosity is piqued by our host’s unique garb – a at Moshav Shefer and Kibbutz Farod, Bedouin keffiyeh and a long cloth located in the heart of the mystical robe. While we waited for the other participants in the class to arrive, forests and groves of the region of Mt. Moshe agreed to tell us his unique life story. Meron. Here is the story of his long and Moshe was born in Tzfas to a traditional family. He received his circuitous journey from the Lithuanian- education at the Kadouri school and was inducted into the IDF Nachal brand Itri Yeshiva in Yerushalayim to infantry division. During his military Chabad to the mountains of the Galilee. service, his brother Ofer was killed in a training accident. Driven by his * Part 2 of 2. pain and anguish, he sought a better reality, one of peace and unity. He [Continued from last issue] that I go to yeshiva. He brought me, had a desire to find a place where he could establish a ‘hill of love’ that Today, R’ Ronen Malul is an together with R’ Gil Heller, to would join together all the religions outstanding chassidic avreich, and Ramat Aviv, and he introduced me of the world. “Today, after having it’s hard to believe that his journey to the yeshiva staff. Later, he also learned chassidus, I understand that to Judaism happened only a few went with me to the Daas yeshiva in the only thing that I can do is to try short years ago. Rechovot, where I studied until I got and produce greater peace and “At the Moshiach’s Seuda at married. Rabbi Shiffman would call brotherhood among our own people, Rabbi Shiffman’s home on the last me occasionally to ensure that and Melech HaMoshiach will be the day of Pesach, I decided to ‘shift everything was going all right, both one to bring world peace. Back then, into high gear’, and he suggested materially and spiritually. That’s true

36 9 Iyar 5770 BEIS MOSHIACH however, I thought that I would be where I lived. Among them was the Jewish nekuda that we all share. able to achieve this on my own.” Rabbi Yaakov Tzvi Ben-Ari. His Only then was I able to relax. After finishing his military characteristic stubbornness Before starting the class in the service, Moshe set out on his search. succeeded in bringing me to the tent, Moshe asks if he can write to His journey eventually led him to yeshiva on several occasions. Later, the Rebbe about a legal problem that Australia, where he opened two when I was living in Australia and cropped up recently with the tent he coffee houses in Byron Bay. These was engaged in the restaurant built, requesting a bracha that cafés became meeting places for all business, two bachurim would come everything should work out properly. the Israeli tourists. After getting to me on a weekly basis to give over The Rebbe’s answer appeared in Vol. everything he could out of the a class in chassidus at the café. One 13 of Igros Kodesh, and it dealt business, he left the coffee houses as of them, Rabbi Yosef Ginsburgh, entirely with the importance of a gift to his friends, and with serves today as head of the baal educating the young in the eternal another companion, he set up Blue t’shuva yeshiva in Ramat Aviv. truth, not half–truths, and the Rebbe Mountain Ranch, where they would With his return to Eretz Yisroel, even gave the reasons for his turn military energy into he understood very quickly that all opinion. As Moshe read this, he agricultural. He made contact with the traveling around the world and began to tremble. This year he had several investors, but the project the dreams were deep-rooted decided to take his eldest daughter never got off the ground. He symptoms of self-exploration. “I out to the Chabad school in Tzfas returned to Eretz Yisroel in 5755 always wanted to make joint and enroll her in a non-religious and his search for an appropriate Shabbos meals, but not necessarily school. He gave a variety of different place where he could realize his with kosher food. I was looking for excuses for this decision, among dream and establish a ‘hill of love’ that sense of ‘Jewish togetherness’, them the positive influence that she brought him to the farmland near yet I didn’t know exactly how to would have upon others, but the Moshav Amirim. achieve it. When we were building Rebbe thought otherwise. Rabbi Two of his good friends joined the Amirey Hagalil Hotel, a new Shiffman was also deeply moved and the undertaking, and together they non-Chabad baal t’shuva met me he explained to Moshe that this was opened the Amirey Hagalil Hotel, and objected to my outreach the means for receiving the bracha. which became a spiritual center activities with non-religious Jews. I Moshe asked that he should combining recreation with a was very offended by what he said, mark the page where the answer religious message. They also but wondered whether he might be appeared, so that he could show it to organized a musical band on the right. That same week, I had the his wife the following day. She premises called ‘Lahakat Sheva’. opportunity to participate in the doesn’t make a move without asking Ethnic Jewish bands from wedding celebration of a Chabad for the Rebbe’s bracha. In the throughout the country and the friend, and the officiating rabbi meantime, the participants in the world turned the hotel into their spoke with great enthusiasm about class had gathered together and were home. Three years ago, the farmland returned to its original owner, and Moshe moved his activities to the tent that he erected, where he continues to fulfill his dream together with his family. Many programs take place there combining music, hospitality, daily Torah classes, and developmental workshops on a variety of subjects. The hotel serves as host to numerous guests. In retrospect, Moshe says that the Chabad movement has accompanied him for as long as he can remember. “When I was boy growing up in the Old City of Tzfas, a group of bachurim from the Chabad yeshiva lodged not far from Moshe Ganish in the special tent that he erected

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 738 37 privileged to get a taste of the compositions on the vision of the Kibbutz Farod. The entire kibbutz is Rebbe’s sichos, as explained with the end of days, the vision of the dry located in a densely wooded area, utmost clarity by Rabbi Shiffman. bones, and the prophecies of giving you the feeling of living in a The visit to Moshe’s tent was Redemption as brought in Seifer jungle. I quickly realized that the quite thrilling, and the unusual Yechezkel, among them ‘and the Jews are looking for a little quiet scenery, diversity, and colorfulness wolf will lie with the lamb.’ calm and tranquility, to cut aroused our curiosity. But Rabbi “There were hundreds of themselves off the noise and tumult Shiffman was already used to it. performers in the concert, and it was found in other places. “There are many Jews in the region attended by representatives from all We first came to the Farod who have established their nations of the world, and as a result, synagogue, located in the center of residences in the thick wooded he was invited to other prestigious the kibbutz. Before entering the forests. These Jews have souls that events. When he returned to Eretz synagogue, Rabbi Shiffman prepared are crying out for the truth,” he Yisroel and took part in his regular me by saying that what I was about explained. We then made our way to class at Moshe Genish’s tent, he to see would put any longstanding an encampment called ‘Chemdas heard what they were studying and Chabad House to shame. In fact, I Yamim’, run by the talented was almost completely overcome. saw the Rebbe’s picture adorning all musician, Mr. Yitzchak Tavior. “It’s They were learning the D’var the walls, pictures of the Chabad interesting to note that his ranch is Malchus from Parshas Mishpatim, Rebbeim, a Chabad calendar, located exactly 770 meters above sea where the Rebbe discusses the Chabad sayings – everything calling level,” Rabbi Shiffman mentions United Nations and its true role. out Rebbe and Lubavitch. “I’m not with a smile, a fact that Tavior likes When they read the p’sukim that the the one who put these things up,” to point out at every opportunity. Rebbe quotes in this sicha, Tavior Rabbi Shiffman said to my surprise. Tavior is an especially gifted cried out: ‘These are the p’sukim “It was done by the gabbai, a special musician and world-renowned that I performed at the United Jew named Zeev Sherman, a conductor. He welcomed us warmly. Nations…’ As the sicha continued, lieutenant colonel in the Israel He had just returned from a major the Rebbe said: ‘And when did all Defense Forces, whose whole world concert performance in the this happen? After Yud-Alef Shvat.’ has revolved around the Rebbe ever Netherlands, and I was surprised to The concert had taken place on the since he found out about him. hear that he asks the Rebbe for a 12th of Shevat… “The Jews on the kibbutz are bracha via Igros Kodesh before each As we listen to Tavior, we hear ‘Baal-Shem’ske Yidden’. They were journey. Rabbi Shiffman brought to terminology befitting a born and not educated according to the tenets our attention the library in his home, bred chassid. “I have written to the of Judaism – quite to the contrary. which had two volumes of Igros Rebbe on countless occasions and I This Jew, Zeev Sherman, told me Kodesh on the shelf, and when he saw how everything worked out. that even though he doesn’t wear a opened them, we noticed that they There are many answers I would kippa, not a weekday goes by were filled with slips of paper prefer to keep to myself, but these without his putting on t’fillin. When containing numerous requests and are the facts.” he was a young soldier, he visited questions. Despite the fact that Mr. It was already past midnight, but the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv, and Tavior’s outward appearance was by before departing he tells us about on his way out, he met Rabbi no means chassidic, his deep the nine miracles that he Avraham Lison. His personality connection to the Rebbe is quite experienced with the pearl of beauty captivated him, and he committed to amazing. he built as his home on the putting on t’fillin every day, and he Two years ago, Yitzchak Tavior mountain above Moshav Shefer. has done so ever since. He asked for traveled to Nuremberg, Germany, The tour was so interesting and the ‘Krias Shma’ page and started for a concert performance that extraordinary, as we met so many putting t’fillin on regularly. In elicited a very enthusiastic response. Jews who never saw the Rebbe, were general, he feels that he is the At the suggestion of the organizers never educated according to the Rebbe’s shliach on the kibbutz. He in Germany, an invitation was teachings of chassidus, yet are totally proclaims ‘Yechi Adoneinu’ after extended this year to, of all places, connected to the Rebbe with all their every davening, telling everyone – the United Nations Headquarters in heart and soul. This phenomenon including guests – that this is the New York on the occasion of inspired me to join Rabbi Shiffman Rebbe’s shul… International Holocaust for another round at the start of the “One day, I took his t’fillin to be Remembrance Day. Among the following week. checked, and when I brought them works he performed were several Our first stop this time was on back, the ‘Krias Shma’ page was

38 9 Iyar 5770 BEIS MOSHIACH from such different backgrounds? Today I understand that the only thing Such an intense connection to that I can do is to try and produce Yiddishkait? “Everything started with house greater peace and brotherhood among visits,” Rabbi Shiffman explains. “We did Mezuza Campaign activities our own people, and Melech from door to door, along with programs for children. In such HaMoshiach will be the one to bring community settlements where everyone knows one another, you world peace. Back then, however, I become a recognized figure rather thought that I would be able to achieve quickly.” Rabbi Shiffman speaks warmly this on my own. about the young people who have completed their military service and missing. When he came to me with We gathered these boys straight raised families, who remind him complaints, I assured him that he from the soccer field for the event, about the activities he conducted could find the ‘Krias Shma’ in a totally unprepared for such an event. during his early days in Shefer and siddur. He was still upset about his From there, I quickly set out for the Farod. “Today, I feel like a member loss, because it was written on the central part of the country… of every family. This is neither an page that the Rebbe also asked “Then, just fifteen minutes before easy nor a simple task, but it is the people to say ‘Hareini Mekabel’ and Shabbos, one of the residents, a only method for bringing success.” ‘Ach Tzaddikim’, and he didn’t young man who had been getting Rabbi Shiffman admits: “In fact, know where to find them. Naturally, much more observant, called me and as water reflects the face, when you I showed him where they appeared said that his wife had placed a piece love someone and show true in the siddur, but I was deeply of garlic that had been distributed at concern for him, he reciprocates in moved to see the earnest sincerity the ceremony into one of the his expression of love. We’re talking with which a secular Jew fulfilled the Shabbos dishes. He asked if the about on an equal level, not like a Rebbe’s request. On another garlic had been purchased outside of rabbi preaching to his congregation, occasion, we learned that it is the kibbutz or if the boy’s father had but more as a friend or family forbidden to say ‘Shecheyanu’ brought it, the latter of which might member. Today, we are invited to during the month of Av. ‘Does that pose a problem. It was still before every event, bris mila, bar-mitzvah, include Rosh Chodesh?’ he inquired. Shabbos, and I quickly called the wedding, or l’havdil, funeral.” It turned out that he customarily synagogue, where I hoped that I * finished the entire Book of T’hillim would find the gabbai and ask him. The simplicity and each month and then made the When someone picked up the straightforwardness of the local bracha ‘Shecheyanu’.” phone, I heard in the background residents, and their heartfelt Rabbi Shiffman had numerous that they were saying Kabbalas affection towards the Rebbe’s examples of this type. “A few years Shabbos. I immediately wanted to shliach, holds this shlichus apart ago, one of the local residents hang up, but the Jew on the line from those in other place. I found named Marcus approached me, and asked the chazzan if he could lower here much appreciation and respect said that his son had never had a his voice, as he was talking to the for the Rebbe. I expect that for many pidyon ha’ben. We arranged to make rav… After he answered and I hung years to come, the words of Moshe a ceremony on Friday, as he said up, I said to myself: ‘These are Jews Genish will reverberate in my ears: that this was the only day he had of the Baal Shem Tov…’” “Is there anyone in the world who free. I arrived on the scheduled day I am amazed by how much doesn’t love the Rebbe? Chabad together with Rabbi Alter Eliyahu affection Rabbi Shiffman has for his chassidim have inner strength, and HaKohen Friedman of Tzfas, and mekuravim, a feeling which is clearly everything they do is done with a lot we conducted the ceremony in the reciprocated in kind. of love.” presence of many kibbutz members. Shortly after midnight, as we sit What better way to sum up the Three of the people in attendance in Rabbi Shiffman’s home, I pose action and success of the shliach, then got up and said that their sons the question that everyone wants to Rabbi Aharon Shiffman – inner had also not had a pidyon ha’ben, ask: How? How does he succeed in strength and much love. and so we were privileged to redeem instilling such great love for the three first-born, one after another. Rebbe in so many people coming

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 738 39 story

began of people from the Israeli consulate in New York visiting the Rebbe. The Rebbe warmly greeted each member of the delegation and THE REBBES he spoke a lot to my father and the other consul workers. Before we left, the Rebbe gave us a piece of lekach from a small tray on the side which was apparently BLESSING intended for us. That first encounter left a tremendous impression on my father and all the members of the delegation. From that point on, my By Nosson Avrohom father would visit the Rebbe in his room on various occasions and In the northern city of Yokneam, was to prepare for the visit of would consult with him. Before our there is hardly anyone who does not President Zalman Shazar on Purim, mission in New York ended and we know Mr. Chanan Kaspi, a longtime 5731/1971. traveled back to Israel, my father resident and the president of the Arranging the President’s had yechidus. I joined him with my Aviv PCB Company which meeting with the Rebbe made my older sister who was about to get specializes in electronic engineering. father aware, for the first time, of married. What many do not know is what a the Rebbe’s greatness. This started First my father went in with my strong connection he has to the the tradition of Israeli diplomats in sister and then she came out and I Rebbe and about the miracle he New York visiting the Rebbe every went in. The Rebbe spoke in Ivrit experienced. year at the hakafos of Simchas mixed with Yiddish, although my Chanan prefers being on the Torah. I have many memories of knowledge of Yiddish was minimal. I sidelines. It wasn’t easy persuading those events. I would go with my was twelve and a half. The Rebbe him to tell his story and publicize it father and the diplomats who came asked where I learned and what I in a magazine, but when he heard every year and although I was studied and asked about my bar that the Rebbe himself encouraged young, the extraordinary electric mitzvah. When I said that the parsha publicizing miracles so as to give atmosphere in 770 is burned into my when I would get an aliya was chizuk to people and hasten the brain. Shmos, he said that although this Geula, he was convinced. I remember the first time I parsha is one of galus and descent, On the Chag Ha’Geula, 19 walked towards the Rebbe’s bima. I you can already see the ascent and Kislev, he was willing for the first was short and in the intense Geula in it. time to stand before hundreds of crowding, I got bounced around like Towards the end I shook the Chassidim in the Beis Levi Yitzchok a ball. Finally, after many exhausting Rebbe’s hand and he blessed me that shul in Tzfas and to tell his story. minutes, we got to the bima, where I I be a talmid chacham and see When we met this week he still saw the endless sea of black hats of success in my learning and then he hesitated, but with the the excited Chassidim. Suddenly added a line in Yiddish, “gezunt und encouragement of his wife he shared there was a hush and at once, the shtark.” the story that began 35 years ago. large hall was silent. The sea of hats I knew what “gezunt” meant but parted and the Rebbe walked in. what did the rest of the bracha THE MEETING BETWEEN In stark contrast to the mighty mean? I asked my father whether SHAZAR AND THE REBBE efforts necessary for us to get the Rebbe wished me health and the through, the Rebbe just entered and Rebbe, who heard me, said in Ivrit, My father, Mr. Tzvi Kaspi a”h, a path opened for him in the crowd “I wish you strong health.” The was the Israeli consul for Jewish and closed immediately behind him. yechidus ended. We wondered for Issues in New York for four years, To see him stride in was an some time why the Rebbe had between 1967 and 1971. In his job impressive sight. When the Rebbe blessed me with this bracha and not he worked hard to strengthen the stood on the bima, my father stood my father or sister, but after a while Torah connection of Jews in the next to him and within a few the matter was forgotten. Diaspora, with a great measure of minutes the hakafos began. It was When we returned to Israel, my success. Among his tasks one year 5729, the first year that the tradition father kept in touch with the Rebbe

40 9 Iyar 5770 BEIS MOSHIACH The Rebbe and President Shazar and met with him on every visit he made to New York. A few months My health deteriorated until I could no later, the Rebbe sent me a letter for longer walk and had to use a my bar mitzvah. The Rebbe would also send us matzos every Erev wheelchair attached to a morphine Pesach. Many years passed, and the pump. The pain was unbearable and it meeting with the Rebbe was pushed to the recesses of my memory as I was hard to see any light at the end of moved on in life and started a family. Ten years ago the doctors the tunnel. Along with my physical discovered that I had a serious decline, my state of mind deteriorated. disease in my spine. From that point on, my health deteriorated until I Those were bleak days indeed. reached the point where I could no longer walk and had to use a problems like mine, in Cleveland. medications and poisons that had wheelchair attached to a morphine That was five years ago. I was entered my body, rehabilitate it from pump. The pain was unbearable and hospitalized there and in a long, the previous deterioration, get my it was hard to see any light at the tiring process the doctors diagnosed limbs moving again and restore my end of the tunnel. Along with my my problem and prescribed the immune system. The hardest part of physical decline, my state of mind proper treatment. Along with the it all was reclaiming my emotional deteriorated. Those were bleak days treatment they put me into a rehab health, which had worsened along indeed. program for the purpose of restoring with my physical state. The doctors who diagnosed the my health. That’s when I realized Then, one day, after a difficult illness were not hopeful. In this how the misdiagnosis on the part of period of massive physical therapy, sorry state we met with the director the Israeli doctors had caused me to the miracle happened. My condition of Ezra L’Marpeh, Rabbi Elimelech undergo treatment that had done improved; the doctors in Cleveland Firer (a Belzer Chassid who is a self- great damage. had done a superior job. A few days taught medical whiz) who connected I had to cleanse myself of all the earlier I had parted from my us with a hospital that specializes in

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 738 41 Overcome with emotion and with the trainer’s encouragement ringing in my ears, I suddenly recalled the yechidus from my childhood. In my mind’s eye, I could see the Rebbe clearly, as the yechidus and what the Rebbe had said came back to me. His blue, penetrating eyes gazed upon me as though I was standing before him right then. They contained much compassion and consolation. It was a vision of but a moment but it was very powerful. I was rendered mute. I felt that I suddenly understood the meaning of the Rebbe’s unique bracha to me. Minutes went by before I could utter a word. I abandoned the ball, not because I Chanan’s father, Tzvi Kaspi (standing left) at a welcoming ceremony that had given up but because I needed Chabad Chassidim made for President Shazar at the hotel. In the picture from to calm down from the intensity of left to right are: Mr. Kaspi, Rabbi Shmuel Dovid Raitchik, Rabbi Yisroel my emotions. I realized that every Jacobson, the military attaché, Shazar, Rabbi Chadakov, Rabbi Peretz Mochkin word the Rebbe uttered had a and Rabbi Binyamin Klein purpose, though sometimes 35 years need to go by before we understand them. At the time, when the Rebbe had blessed me in Yiddish and then again in Ivrit that I have strong health, I did not understand what he meant. But in Cleveland, a few years after my father had passed away, I understood how far-reaching the Rebbe’s vision was. *** When Chanan was asked to explain this experience, he found it difficult. Chanan Kaspi telling his story at the Beis Levi Yitzchok shul in Tzfas “Maybe since the yechidus and my rehabilitation both took place in wheelchair and begun walking, moved towards the basket, step after America?” he tried to say, but then something that a few months earlier step, not believing that I was really he conceded, “Nah, that’s a weak I would not have believed would ever doing this. When I reached the point.” happen. The medical team that basket I stopped and waited for Over the years, his connection treated me in Israel had deemed instructions. I was fairly certain I with Chabad and the Rebbe was such a step impossible. I was led by knew what he would tell me to do strong and deep, but since his a trainer to the basketball court. We but I waited to hear it from him. Yes, recovery this connection has become stood side by side as I waited for he told me to aim for the basket. much stronger. “What I learned instructions. He brought a basketball With great difficulty and effort, I from this story is that you can never and gave it to me. I took it and he threw the ball towards the basket. give up hope. The ‘yeish’ is always told me to bounce it a few times. The trainer wasn’t satisfied with greater than the ‘ayin’ and in the After a few minutes he told me that; he tossed the ball back to me end, whatever happens is all for the stop and to move towards the for another try. Those moments are good.” basket. Straining my physical and etched in my mind. That is when I emotional abilities to the utmost, I began to believe in myself.

42 9 Iyar 5770 BEIS MOSHIACH