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AVROHOM’S ODYSSEY 4 D’var Malchus | Sichos In English

THE REVIVAL OF JUDAISM IN 6 BERDITCHEV Shlichus | Nosson Avrohom

THE BATTLE CONTINUES 12 Feature | Avrohom Ber

THE CHASSIDIC MUSICIAN BEHIND 19 THE SIMCHAS BEIS HA’SHOEIVA Feature | Yitzchok Wagshul

RABBI BENTZION LIPSKER A”H USA 24 Obituary | Menachem Ziegelboim 744 Eastern Parkway Brooklyn, NY 11213-3409 Tel: (718) 778-8000 Fax: (718) 778-0800 [email protected] AS IF IT WAS NEVER THERE www.beismoshiach.org 33 Miracle Story | Nosson Avrohom EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: M.M. Hendel ENGLISH EDITOR: R’ MEIR FRIEDMAN A”H Boruch Merkur 36 Obituary | Shneur Zalman Berger HEBREW EDITOR: Rabbi Sholom Yaakov Chazan [email protected] WHAT IMPRESSED AVROHOM? 40 Thought | Rabbi Yosef Karasik Beis Moshiach (USPS 012-542) ISSN 1082- 0272 is published weekly, except Jewish holidays (only once in April and October) for $160.00 in Crown Heights, Brooklyn and in all other places for $180.00 per year (45 issues), by Beis Moshiach, 744 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11213-3409. Periodicals postage paid at Brooklyn, NY and additional offices. Postmaster: send address changes to Beis Moshiach 744 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11213-3409. Copyright 2009 by Beis Moshiach, Inc. Beis Moshiach is not responsible for the content of the advertisements. 715:Beis Moshiach 26/10/2009 8:29 AM Page 4

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understanding, or belief, but is instead a response to G-d’s initiative. Our Rabbis [6] underscore this AVROHOMS concept, stating that Avrohom’s service anticipated the bond with G- d made possible after the giving of the Torah. ODYSSEY NEW VISTAS Lech also means “proceed,” indicating the beginning of an ongoing journey of divine service. Sichos In English This concept is also alluded to in the Torah’s description of Avrohom WHAT THE TORAH and a great miracle was performed to as “continuing on his way, steadily HIGHLIGHTS save him. progressing southward,” [7] i.e., in All this, however, represented the direction of Jerusalem, [8] the Every school child knows the merely his own striving to unite with place where G-d’s presence is story of Avrohom - how he G-d. manifest. discovered G-d as a child, broke his Receiving the command Lech Real progress means leaving one’s father’s idols, and then was thrown Lecha, “Go out of your land,” began previous state entirely. into the furnace by Nimrod and a new and deeper stage in Avrohom’s As long as an individual’s saved by G-d. relationship with G-d. For, as our personal growth depends on his own None of these particulars, Sages state, [3] “a person who power alone, his progress will be however, can be found in the Written observes a mitzvah because he is limited. [9] To r a h . commanded to do so is greater than He cannot go beyond the bounds The Torah mentions Avrohom one who observes it without having of his own understanding. When, by briefly at the close of Parshas Noach, been so commanded.” contrast, his progress is guided by G- [1] telling us that he was born, that The word mitzvah and the word d’s commandments, there are no he married, and that he accompanied tzavsa, meaning “together”, share the limits to the potential for growth. The his father on his journey to Charan. same root. [4] Torah and its mitzvos can take a But the focus of those verses is on When a person fulfills a divine person far beyond his own vistas. his father Terach, not on Avrohom. command because he has been To accentuate this point, the It is in Parshas Lech Lecha, with commanded to do so, the act which command Lech Lecha tells Avrohom the command, [2] “Go out of your he performs is G-dly, and connects to proceed “to the land which I will land, your native country, and your him to G-d in all His infinity. If he show you” without mentioning a father’s house,” that the Torah begins performs the same deed without specific destination. For following G- highlighting the history of Avrohom having been commanded to do so, d’s commandments brings a person as the founder of our people. his act, however worthy, remains to horizons which he could not The other stories mentioned merely a good deed: it does not appreciate on his own. previously although part of the Oral establish a connection of the same Tradition, are not included in the nature. Written Torah. SELF-DISCOVERY This is implied by the command, What is at the heart of this choice “Go out.” Avrohom was commanded The expression “I will show you,” of emphasis? to depart from his limited mortal Ar’ecka in Hebrew, can also be Before receiving this command, framework of reference and establish rendered “I will reveal you,” i.e., Avrohom had already attained high an unlimited connection with G-d. through the journey to Eretz Yisroel, rungs in his divine service. It was at [5] By doing so, he defined the Avrohom’s true self was revealed. the age of three that he had nature of the relationship between G- This is also indicated by the “recognized his Creator,” and from d and his descendants, the Jewish expression Lech Lecha, which that age onward, he continued to people of all time. literally means “go to yourself,” i.e., grow in his devotion. He had been Our relationship to G-d is not “to your essence,” [10] to the very willing to sacrifice his life for G-d, dependent on our love, source of the soul.

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This also points to an unlimited forced to descend to Egypt. Egypt is an attempt to refine it. potential, for a Jew’s soul is “an described as “the nakedness of the Circumcision represents a actual part of G-d.” [11] land;” [13] its very name Mitzrayim “covenant in the flesh,” [21] and A person’s spiritual journey is related to the word meitzarim endows our physical bodies involves transcending his ordinary meaning “ boundaries” or themselves with a dimension of habits and ways of thinking, and “limitations”. [14] holiness. [22] tapping his essential G-dly core. [12] And yet, Avrohom’s descent to As we proceed through life , each Egypt brought him blessing. He left THE PROMISE OF of us is given the chance to discover Egypt “very rich in cattle, in silver, ERETZ YISROEL who he is, what G-d is, and that the and gold.” [15] Moreover, this two are in essence one. material wealth came from spiritual The above concepts also enable effort; Avrohom had elevated the us to appreciate why the promise of Eretz Yisroel to Avrohom’s PASSING THROUGH sparks of G-dliness invested in that land. [16] descendants is mentioned in SHADOWS connection with the mitzvah of In the midst of his spiritual circumcision. journey, a person may be forced to JOURNEY WITH OTHERS Circumcision reflects the confront challenges, situations which A person’s spiritual quest should unification of the spiritual and the require him to struggle to continue to not be a lonely journey. physical in one’s own person, while advance. Nevertheless, since these On the contrary, one of the signs the relationship between the Jews phases of his journey are also guided of one’s personal development is the and Eretz Yisroel reflects the by Divine Providence, he must realize capacity to inspire others to join in unification of spirituality and that the motivating intent for them is this endeavor. Avrohom surely gave physicality in the world at large. also positive. These situations are, to expression to this thrust, as our In this sense, the promise of Eretz borrow an expression from our Sages commented [17] with regard Yisroel represents the culmination of Sages, a descent for the purpose of to the verse, [18] “ And he called in Avrohom’s spiritual journey. For the ascent. the name of the G-d of the universe”: most complete departure from a Why must a person face such “Do not read VaYikra (‘And he particular spiritual environment is challenges? Two reasons are given: called’), read VaYakri (‘And he had the transformation of that a. To bring out the others call’).” environment itself. fundamental power of his soul. As This concept is also reflected in Thus the fulfillment of G-d’s long as a person does not have to the changing of his name from Avram command for Avrohom to leave the confront a challenge, it is sufficient to Avrohom. [19] confines of material existence (Lech for him to rely on his ordinary Rashi [20] explains that Avram Lecha) comes about through his powers; he need not tap his core. has the implication “father of Aram,” descendants efforts to transform When, by contrast, he must face a while Avrohom alludes to the Hebrew Eretz Yisroel into a dwelling for G-d. challenge, he summons up his words meaning “father of many In a complete sense, the promise innermost spiritual resources. nations.” of Eretz Yisroel will not be realized b. In the process of overcoming The change of his name implied until the Era of the Redemption and these challenges, the person elevates that Avrohom had been given the in that sense, the journey of Lech the sparks of G-dliness they contain. potential to inspire and influence all Lecha remains an ongoing endeavor For all existence is maintained by the nations in the world to begin for all of Avrohom’s descendants. G-d’s creative-energy which is vested striving toward spiritual purpose. Until the coming of Moshiach, within it. Since G-d desired to create we are constantly in a state of flux, a physical world, this divine-energy is A SIGN IN OUR FLESH going beyond the limits of our hidden within the world’s material Significantly, Avrohom was given immediate spiritual level and striving substance and as a result of this this name in connection with the to bring ourselves and our concealment, challenges arise. When mitzvah of circumcision. surrounding environment to its a person overcomes these challenges, Circumcision, the mitzvah which ultimate state of fulfillment. he reveals the inner G-dly nature of affects the most material aspects of Adapted from Likkutei Sichos, Vol. V, p. 57ff; existence. Vol. XX, p. 59ff, p. 301ff; Vol. XXV, p. 52; Seifer our being, demonstrates that our HaSichos, 5750 p. 96ff. Avrohom’s spiritual journey also spiritual quest is not an attempt to contained such phases. Shortly after escape our worldly reality, but rather he entered Eretz Yisroel, he was [Continued on pg. 23]

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shlichus

80% of the Jews of the town are in touch with the shluchim, Rabbi Moshe Shmuel and Mrs. Chana THE REVIVAL Thaler. TREMENDOUS ACCOMPLISHMENTS R’ Thaler is a personable OF JUDAISM IN Chassidishe young man. Only someone as patient as he, can handle the challenges of a Jewish community that has suffered seventy years of oppression by the BERDITCHEV communist government. R’ Thaler is a people person. He truly listens to people, a rare talent and a boon for the elderly, unfortunate and lonely. By Nosson Avrohom His office is open all day and any Jew with a problem can stop by and 25 Tishrei marked 200 years since the pour out their heart. Our interview was interrupted passing of Rabbi Levi Yitzchok of several times by people who had come by to discuss matters that were Berditchev. We spoke to Rabbi and Mrs. weighing on their minds. Surprisingly, when I asked R’ Thaler Thaler, shluchim to Berditchev, who work for special stories, he said he had devotedly in reaching out to the Jews of none for me. He does not measure his success by stories about baalei their town and to all the visitors who t’shuva but by action. He has built magnificent mosdos, come to Rabbi Levi Yitzchok’s gravesite. a shul, a preschool, a school, and a Chabad house, and he runs holiday programs and interacts with the It was already early evening, but shluchim – particularly the shlucha – thousands of visitors. His yardstick R’ Thaler’s office was still humming are kept busy hosting scores of for success is whether a Jew feels with activity. About 1000 people visitors who come to Rabbi Levi better now than before. would be arriving from all over the Yitzchok’s grave. R’ Thaler is a nice guy but when world to visit the gravesite of Rabbi *** it comes to things he has to fight Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev (1740- Evening descended upon the for, he’s not afraid of anyone. For 1809) for his 200th yahrtzait, and quiet Ukrainian town of Berditchev, example, when it comes to there was a lot to do to prepare. a town that has a place of honor in preventing the destruction of graves, “We will be hiring a security Jewish history thanks to Rabbi Levi the desecration of the honor of the firm, and renting large tents and Yitzchok, Defender of Israel, who dead, or assimilation, he is fierce. portable toilets for the visitors to the served as Mara D’Asra for 25 years. gravesite. There will be a place to It is said that just mentioning the ANSWER FROM wash hands, coffee and cake, and a name “Berditchev” serves as an big tent set up at the shul for a arousal of spiritual defense for the THE REBBE seuda for the many guests.” Jewish people. How did the Thalers end up in The Chabad shul’s proximity to The Jews of Berditchev were busy Berditchev? the gravesite of Rabbi Levi Yitzchok making their final preparations for R’ Thaler is a descendent of has made the Thaler family Rosh HaShana. Only a few hundred Rabbi Levi Yitzchok. So when he outstanding hosts. In addition to the Jewish families live in the poor town was asked, at the end of his year of preschool, shul and yeshiva, the of Berditchev today. No fewer than learning on K’vutza in 770, to go on

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A Hachnasas Seifer Torah in Berditchev. Rabbi Moshe Thaler, the Rebbe’s shliach to Berditchev, is in the center.

Merkos Shlichus to Berditchev, he Thaler to Berditchev. R’ Thaler had father-in-law. I was pleased to read didn’t think twice. no idea at the time that he would be that you are a descendent of the Rabbi Shmuel Plotkin was returning after he got married as the tzaddik, Rabbi Levi Yitzchok of working there at the time. He town’s official shliach. Berditchev. started Chabad activity there back in He was there for half a year, If in physical matters they have 1989, when the communist bloc was opening a shul, establishing a kollel resolved that nothing is lost, all the just beginning to crumble. Two years for seniors and working with young more so in spiritual matters, later, in 1991, R’ Plotkin left people. Then he left for Eretz including our heritage which is Berditchev for Zhitomir. When he Yisroel, where he got married and eternal. That is, it has its effect on passed by the Rebbe for dollars, he stayed for the next two years. Other children, grandchildren etc. received two dollars, one for T’mimim took over in Berditchev. especially when the tzaddik, Rabbi Zhitomir and one for Berditchev. He and his wife intended on Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev had To him this was a sign that he going on shlichus. The name the trait of Ahavas Yisroel. Love couldn’t abandon Berditchev, so Berditchev came up as a possibility, draws close, drawing close even along with his work in other but the sacrifices entailed in going those who are distant, and all the Ukrainian cities, he brought there were many. Then a bracha in more so those who are close in T’mimim to work in Berditchev and the Igros Kodesh, volume 14, p. body and close in soul. kept in touch with the Jews of the 438, clinched matters: Obviously, my purpose here is town. I received your letter and p”n to not mere words, but for additional Ten years ago, on Erev Rosh be read, at an auspicious time, at requests for efforts in spreading HaShana, Rabbi Plotkin sent R’ the gravesite of the Rebbe, my Judaism and strengthening it in all

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was consistent work, especially with GUESTS ALL YEAR young people. Many guests visit Berditchev year- “The work here is complicated, round in pilgrimage to the grave of hard and intense, but we’re not Rabbi Levi Yitzchok. Admurim and complaining. Our job is to do and famous rabbanim have also been among not to constantly look for results and the recipients of the shluchim’s success. It’s enough that one Jew hospitality and all of them express their understands that Judaism is thanks and admiration for the Rebbe something deep and not superficial, and the institution of shlichus. At the and let that be our reward. We’re not end of last year, the Skvere Rebbe looking for thunder and lightning With the Skvere Rebbe visited the Ukraine, the birthplace of but just go about our shlichus. Chassidus. He and his entourage visited “Last week there was a funeral Berditchev and met with the shliach, for a man who regularly came to who presented the Admur and his shul. We made him a bris and he Chassidim with a T’hillim with the began coming back to his tradition. commentary of the K’dushas Levi which For many years he had a bitter he had published for the occasion. relationship with his mother even The Admur took an interest in the though he was her only child. She shliach’s work and gave a donation rejected him and we adopted him towards the Chabad mosdos. He The Tzanzer Rebbe with warmth and lots of love. When blessed R’ Thaler that he continue in his visits the mosdos he passed away, we made him a holy work in being mekarev Jews to proper Jewish burial but his mother their Father in heaven. mixed in and told us what to do and During the visit the shliach also met what not to do. Rabbi Avrohom Yaffe Schlesinger, the “She even accused us of killing rav of Geneva, who visited the Chabad him and her attitude and comments mosdos. Rabbi Schlesinger visited the were really offensive. We just did preschool and the elementary school what the halacha requires despite and was suitably impressed by the work her crushing and offensive intervention. A shliach doesn’t take of the shluchim. With the Belzer Rebbe his personal feelings into account but does what is expected of him. I your surroundings with Ahavas REVIVAL AFTER SEVENTY had tremendous satisfaction when Yisroel. And the merit of ancestors YEARS OF COMMUNISM the day ended with our having helps him to succeed in this and provided the man with a Jewish The residents weren’t waiting for the reward for this is as the burial.” the shluchim with bouquets of Mishna says; the reward for a flowers. The long years of mitzva is a mitzva, namely the communism had made deep inroads. THANKS TO YOU truest and deepest spiritual R’ Thaler had to start from the AND THE REBBE satisfaction from the goodness and beginning. The Jews looked at kindness that is accomplished Along with all the difficulties, the everything with dollars in their eyes. through this. That is in addition to shluchim also have many joyous “I asked someone to come to the bracha to the one who invests moments. One such occasion was a shul and he asked me how much I’d effort in this; the bracha of the Hachnasas Seifer Torah which took pay him. Another person whom I Ohev Yisroel who is Hashem, place last year. The entire asked to come to shul said he didn’t Creator of the world, whose trait is community watched in amazement need the money. It took me years to measure for measure but many as Jews danced in the streets. Streets explain that Judaism is not a times more so. were closed off and Berditchev business; it’s about faith and truth.” The answer was clear. The rejoiced. R’ Thaler realized he needed to couple packed their bags and got on “The next day I met a journalist take little steps. He wasn’t looking to a plane. Their destination: who told me it was the first time she make baalei t’shuva, even though Berditchev. had seen so many happy people that happened eventually. His goal without any vodka.”

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Many guests gathered in the early afternoon, along with shluchim and rabbanim who came from all over the Ukraine for the writing of the final letters of the new Torah. Around the table where the Torah scroll lay, a few local Jews shed tears of joy. The older people still remembered scenes like this from their childhood, but for most of the community this was the first time in their lives that they were witnessing the completion of a Torah scroll. When the writing was finished, the parade got underway. Hundreds of Jews proudly marched and danced their way through the streets. Rabbi Thaler (left) with the shliach and chief rabbi of Zhitomir, Rabbi Shlomo Wilhelm (center) The local police helped out. At times it seemed as though Berditchev had reverted back in time to the days when most of the town was Jewish. At the Seudas Mitzva which followed, the mayor, Mr. Vassily Konstantinovich, who is on good terms with R’ Thaler, spoke. He stressed the great sense of indebtedness that he felt towards the Jewish people. “If not for the Jews, Berditchev would not be known to the world. Thank you, and thanks to Rabbi Thaler at a chuppa The mayor speaking at a Chabad event the Rebbe who sent you.” for one of his talmidim Purim is also a very joyous day in grave of Rabbi Levi Yitzchok, broke sent my assistant to him to ask him Berditchev. The community gathers the windows and threw rocks and to take action.” for a Jewish fair which consists of bottles inside, and defaced the The mayor immediately ordered numerous activities for men, women, outside of the grave with swastikas a halt to the construction. The and children. The variety of activities and Nazi slogans. mayor even cut short his vacation in ensures that the vast majority of the R’ Thaler, who is also rav of the order to see the vandalism for Jews will do the mitzvos of the day. town, immediately turned to the himself. Towards evening, the members of mayor and the police, who Speaking of battles, R’ Thaler has the community gather in the eventually caught the perpetrator. found himself in several and he shliach’s home for a Chassidishe The Berditchev municipality blocked knows that it pays to work behind farbrengen that lasts for hours. R’ the entrance to the gravesite and did the scenes as opposed to waging Thaler urges them to take part in not allow photographs to be taken open war and publicizing problems. Jewish life being that they are part of for fear of worldwide reaction. He knows people in authority and the Chosen People. R’ Thaler also found himself the lay of the land, and in his leading a battle to prevent experience this is the best way to NOT OPEN WARFARE desecration of the graves when operate. As in many countries in the CIS, construction was taking place at the “I often fight against autopsies anti-Semitism is ever-present. This cemetery. on Jews or for someone to be buried hatred for Jews and Judaism flared “I was in Eretz Yisroel when I in the Jewish cemetery. Sometimes it up two and a half years ago when found out about it and since we had takes lots of persuasion to convince someone broke the fence around the good connections with the mayor I a person to undergo a bris mila or

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not to intermarry. Although this I WANT TO SEE THINGS THROUGH YOUR EYES town has powerful Jewish roots, I have to start from the beginning.” Chanoch Bressler – Olam HaChassidus There are many mekuravim, though as I pointed out, this is not “Berditchev is the name of a sacred town. Just mentioning its name R’ Thaler’s way of measuring can arouse mercy and merit for the Jewish people … since it was the success. When pressed, he finally dwelling place of the Defender of Israel, the tzaddik Rabbi Levi told me about one of his mekuravim. Yitzchok, author of K’dushas Levi. “There’s a man who served in a “I had the privilege of sitting next to Rabbi Moshe Thaler, a Jew high position in the Ukrainian army. who breathes the air of Berditchev 24 hours a day. More than breathing He was married to a non-Jew and the town and its name, he breathes its Jews, near and far - many, many last year he began taking an interest of whom are far - and it is only through his work and the work of his in Judaism. He had a bris and he fellow shluchim in town that they are drawn close to Judaism and fasted on Yom Kippur. He now mitzva observance. regularly attends shul, started “R’ Moshe Thaler is a genuine Chassidic fellow who was born in the putting on t’fillin and participates in Chabad community of the United States. He learned in Chabad the t’fillos and shiurim. Last Rosh yeshivos in Eretz Yisroel but settled in Berditchev where, together with HaShana (5769) he donated five his family who accompanied him to this barren land, he works to raise sacks of potatoes, which is a nice up the Sh’china from the ground by establishing a network of mosdos donation. Torah and chinuch as a shliach of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. “There is another shluchim “Now, as I was invited to take part in an evening of appreciation couple here, Rabbi Akiva and Mrs. and chizuk for the Chabad shluchim in the CIS, I asked my table mate, Rivka Nimoy who work in the R’ Moshe Thaler, to lend me his glasses. ‘I very much want to see Chabad mosdos. They work a lot things with your eyes,’ I told him. with the Jews in and out of the town. We added more shiurim and home “R’ Thaler is used to sharing with others and to tell you the truth, visits. Our goal is to reach every anybody who is a shliach in an isolated place knows that he doesn’t single Jew and change their lives. have things of his own. He gives up what he has and what he doesn’t This goal is feasible because the have, and he usually lacks more than he has. Here he lives for others, town is very small and only a few he breathes for others. There is no ‘he’ and ‘his.’ There is only pure hundred Jews live here.” shlichus. “Therefore, although R’ Thaler doesn’t wear glasses on a daily basis, when he heard my request he immediately gave me his glasses … A REAL JEW WEARS “R’ Moshe is on his own although not literally alone because every A YARMULKA day he works with hundreds of talmidim in a growing k’hilla. Mrs. Thaler is fully involved in Obviously, they did not come from the same Chassidishe background working with the Jewish community he did, so he doesn’t have people with whom to share experiences, to of Berditchev. Throughout the week exchange news on his level. He is alone while living among many she is busy and she does her work people, as R’ Mendel of Kotzk said, “True being alone is within a happily and with love. On Sunday crowd.” she runs a Jewish school which is “Through those glasses that almost never see Chassidishe men, R’ attended by most of the Jewish Moshe discovers – as do I by looking through his glasses – that there is children in town. a world full of Chassidim; there is a big commotion about Chassidus; “For three hours we teach them there is tremendous work. The world around him revolves so quickly; a about Judaism, give them a beautiful world with life and Chassidic life. nourishing breakfast, and do crafts “Through R’ Moshe’s glasses I discover that all those cities and and play games with Jewish themes. towns that are familiar to us from stories of tzaddikim and Jewish The rest of the week I’m busy with history are not just names but real towns. There are places like this and the preschool. Unfortunately, most there are Jews that can be drawn close, children who can be protected of the children are the products of so they are not lost to the Jewish people. And there are also Chabad intermarriage and their fathers are shluchim, in each place one man, a man and his family who are a not Jewish. Their knowledge of shining point of grace within the desolation.” Judaism is nil and we work hard on building up their Jewish awareness

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so that a new generation will understand its uniqueness as part of the Jewish people. “Just this week a mother of a child in the preschool knocked at my door on Shabbos. At first I was nervous about her visit but then she told me that her daughter didn’t want to wear pants anymore, just a skirt, like my daughter Freidy. ‘Her grandmother tried to convince her. We gave her candy and things she likes but she refused.’ ‘Pants are not modest,’ explained the little girl to her astonished family. “We have plenty of stories like that. Like the boy in preschool who decided he wasn’t taking off his yarmulke even after school hours Rabbi Thaler at a Purim seuda with seniors in Berditchev because our son Mendy told him that a real Jew needs to wear his drew Jewish symbols for Pesach, for Life hasn’t been easy this past yarmulke all the time. In general, the the purpose of making a lasting year. The worldwide economic children make a big kiddush impression on them.” downturn did not pass them by. But Hashem.” The town has undergone major R’ Thaler continues his work with Every week the shlucha gives a changes and upheavals over the increased energy, with lots of inner shiur on the parsha and other years. Long ago, the town was very strength, faith, and a deep sense of relevant topics. It is very popular Jewish in character, whereas in purpose. and well-attended. recent times, the vast majority of the “We are constantly experiencing “We learn how all issues in Torah Jewish residents were unfamiliar miracles. Someone who had are relevant to the life of a woman with their identity. Now Berditchev promised me money many times and living in the Ukraine nowadays. We is finally returning to its roots. did not produce it finally made a speak a lot about Jewish identity, “Today every Jew here knows nice donation recently. Then along which was squelched for many what being a Jew is about and how came another individual, who asked years, and about the privilege of to celebrate the holidays,” says R’ me how we are managing in the being a Jew. At the end of every Thaler. recession. We replied with bitachon class I ask what they got from the and faith, which impressed him and shiur and I am happy to see that the he also made a donation. The Rebbe point got across. It’s touching to NOT FAZED BY THE ECONOMIC SITUATION gave us money in the past and he is hear from women who are giving it now too; you just have to intermarried yet committed to eat Mrs. Thaler feels that despite the work harder to be a keili.” only matza on Pesach. That too is a difficulties the Rebbe is blessing This past year was especially real accomplishment.” them, particularly in the hard times. hard for the shluchim due to If you have visited Berditchev “Once, when my children were financial stresses, but R’ Thaler is you know that R’ Thaler is the sick I wished we were in Israel so characteristically optimistic. spiritual father of the community they could be checked by a proper “If you look at it in the ordinary and his wife is the mother. doctor. That night we had some way, there is no doubt that money “I make every effort to unify the guests who came to visit Rabbi Levi helps you be mekarev people to the community so that we feel like one Yitzchok’s grave. One of them was a Rebbe, but we know it doesn’t work big family. Last Pesach I took the doctor from Kiryat Seifer. that way. The Rebbe is with us and children of the school and bought “I am sure that every shliach has he gives each of us what we need. them suits in a quality store so they numerous hashgacha pratis stories. We must continue with our shlichus would know what it means to It’s a privilege to be a shliach of the until we merit to greet Moshiach.” prepare for Pesach. I brought an Rebbe.” artist who decorated the shul and

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feature THE BATTLE CONTINUES

By Avrohom Ber When Brownsville was abandoned and became rundown, all anticipated that the nearby Crown Heights would soon share the same fate. However, Lubavitch remained as a stronghold in Crown Heights and when thousands of guests arrive in Tishrei they see a vibrant Jewish neighborhood which prevailed while Harlem, the Bronx, Brownsville and East Flatbush could not. * Part 3

SAVING THE SHULS were sold to gentiles and the more Rebbe quietly said he should be After the sicha of Acharon shel fortunate among them were turned given the third aliya, the aliya which Pesach 5729/1969, Anash of into apartments. the Rebbe is given. When the Crown Heights began to wake up Entire k’hillos fled, leaving their Skulener Rebbe heard about this and try to buy the houses and shuls shuls and mosdos up for sale. later he stopped davening upstairs that were for sale at low prices. Famous yeshivos in Crown Heights and would only daven downstairs). Many of the shuls and shtiblach in moved too. Yeshivas Rabbeinu When he told the Rebbe that his the neighborhood were saved as a Chaim Berlin rebuilt itself in Chassidim were pressuring him to result, and over the years they Flatbush while Rabbi Baumel’s move to Williamsburg, the Rebbe became Lubavitcher shuls. Crown Heights Yeshiva relocated to told him: ‘They need to come to The three Chassidishe shtiblach Georgetown in southwestern you and not you to them.’ The at the junction of Montgomery and Brooklyn. Skulener Rebbe finally made the Kingston, for example, were The Skulener Rebbe remained in move to Williamsburg in the mid rescued in this fashion. They Crown Heights after all his 70’s. became Lubavitcher shuls which Chassidim left. He would go to R’ Sholom Jacobson, member of exist till today. The fate of dozens daven in 770 every day, where he the Vaad L’Hafatzos Sichos, of other shuls was not as rosy; they had a minyan. (One time, as he remembers how when he was a davened Shacharis upstairs, the bachur he would go and chazer

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85 Kingston Avenue, corner of Empire in the early days of Crown Heights. You can see trolley tracks on the street. (from the archives of Sholom Ber Goldstein)

Chassidus in the shul on Troy careful not to disclose their needed a minyan. between Union and President intentions to Lubavitchers. One of the last shuls to remain Street. He had a nice relationship Many shuls were left without a in operation was the Belzer shtibel with the congregants. One Shabbos minyan. Beautiful shuls that had on Eastern Parkway between when he got to shul he was shocked been frequented by dozens or even Brooklyn Avenue and New York to see a big cross on it. The hundreds of people every Shabbos Avenue. The shul had a kollel building had transferred ownership could no longer get a minyan headed by Rabbi Berish Shapiro, in a hasty sale and till today it together. Bachurim from 770 would the son of the Naroler Rebbe. This serves as a church. go to make up a minyan in all these shul lasted until recent years even He wasn’t surprised that they shuls. This went on for years. We though it was the only Jewish hadn’t told him. Some Lubavitchers see in a report on a meeting of presence on the block. were “kana’im” (zealots) after Tzach in 5738 that R’ Mendel In a letter that the Rebbe wrote hearing the Rebbe make an outcry Shemtov, who was a member of the to the kollel in 5736, he expressed and they took action against those Community Council, called upon his fondness for the mosdos that who considered leaving. Many of every Chassid to go at least twice a remained in Crown Heights: those who planned on leaving were month to daven in a shul that And there is a special element

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as pertains to all of the above – as pertains to the place and neighborhood of the Jewish people - it is fifty years and more that the sound of Yaakov is heard there, the sound of Torah and t’filla, and also through the kollel was added in the blessings of Hashem, materially and spiritually with apparent and revealed good in its Great Houses – these are the shuls and battei midrash – and in the Jewish homes there, about which it is said, “and I will dwell in them” – within each one of them, and throughout the neighborhood in general – and you will dwell securely. Till this very day bachurim and Anash go to daven in distant shuls which barely have a minyan. Sadly, the disgrace of the flight from the neighborhood is still not erased. On many black churches in former Jewish neighborhoods you can still see evidence that these were once shuls.

BUYING HOMES IN CROWN HEIGHTS The most basic step taken to prevent the takeover of the neighborhood was to buy houses. Every Jewish stronghold broadcast: We are here and we’re not running. R’ Shneur Zalman Gurary a”h, who was one of the askanim who Manchester, related that in a when it came to buying homes (see worked on this, lent $5000 on easy yechidus before his wedding he box). terms to whoever wanted to buy a asked the Rebbe whether to buy a A certain Lubavitcher bought a home in Crown Heights. In those home in Crown Heights or to rent. home in New Jersey. As a Chassid, days the cost of a home could be as The Rebbe answered, “It’s better to he went to ask for the Rebbe’s low as $15,000 and a loan of be a homeowner for a year than to bracha for his new home but the $5000 was quite significant. Today, rent a house.” Rebbe was not pleased at all and the price of a home in Crown The couple understood from this instructed him to move to Crown Heights is thirty or forty times the that the Rebbe wanted them to go Heights. price of what it was then. Those on shlichus after a year, a shlichus “But I gave a down payment who bought back then got a great that they are on till today. The already!” protested the Chassid. real estate deal, contrary to the Rebbe did not concede on his “You need to live in Crown predictions of the experts. demand that people buy houses Heights. If you can get back the The Rebbe’s “koch” in buying because he wanted more Jewish- down payment, fine; if not, also homes applied even to those who owned property in Crown Heights. good. But you need to live in intended to go away on shlichus. R’ Many stories circulated about Crown Heights.” Chaim Farro, shliach in amazing things that took place The shocked Chassid accepted

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1970: The truth is as mentioned above, and if so, and all the aforementioned are involved in matters that are more important to them, they should announce this once and for all... Based on conduct until now, there is room to say that they will explain themselves with excuses that so- and-so and so-and-so are to blame etc. but I am not at all interested in excuses just as they are not interested in excuses in matters that truly affect them. R’ Yosef Reitzes of Crown Heights relates that in 5748, he had the opportunity to buy the building that his parents lived in at a bargain price. He hesitated since it was still a lot of money. Moreover if he would buy the building he would be the only Jew on a block, except for the semi-active Belzer shtibel. When he wrote to the Rebbe about it, the Rebbe answered, “You know my opinion about this already.” The house, which had originally been owned by a Bobover Chassid who had sold it at a loss to a non- Jew, reverted to Jewish hands. Today, over ten Jewish families live in the building. In the year following that, Shnas HaBinyan, the Rebbe encouraged the purchase of private homes and this but his wife, who was present gave $100 as his contribution at the yechidus, told the Rebbe that “You need to live towards every house that a Jew she was afraid to live in Crown would buy. Over 150 Jewish homes Heights. in Crown Heights. were bought that year, “Hashem watches over a Jew in strengthening the Jewish hold on every location, especially here,” said If you can get Crown Heights. the Rebbe. (Of course there were The Rebbe spoke extremely back the down instructions to certain people not to sharply about those who left Crown payment, fine; if live in Crown Heights. These Heights. The Rebbe did not accept instructions were given to any justifications, as we can see not, also good. But individuals whose shlichus in from the following response. When spreading Torah and Judaism was someone wrote to the Rebbe that you need to live in elsewhere. However, those who did “very distinguished people recently not fill such a role were generally left Crown Heights, some of whom Crown Heights,” told to live in Crown Heights). sold their homes to gentiles,” the On Kingston Avenue, opposite Rebbe responded on 20 Kislev, said the Rebbe. 770, there was a building belonging

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with individual dollar bills and Since they are selling “shares” in the they can publicize that whoever company I will buy a share and pay for buys a share in the company can get one of my dollars. In this it with individual dollar bills and they manner let us see how people will finally wake up… can publicize that whoever buys a share It’s completely not understood. Something that is a din in in the company can get one of my Shulchan Aruch which is connected with “and do that dollars. which is proper and good,” they don’t want to do. But the Polish to a Jewish organization. When the put on the market, it had to raise a approach, something which makes members of the organization left lot of money. Among the founders no sense, Poilishe inyanim, the neighborhood, they planned to of the corporation were R’ Chaikel shirayim, everybody copies that. sell the building to non-Jews. The Chanin and R’ Tzvi Yair Steinmetz. But that is what the world contract was almost signed to the Even after the corporation to wants and so they will announce: satisfaction of both sides. The only buy houses was formed, there was Whoever buys a share will get a ones who were dissatisfied were the still more to do. Members of the dollar and there is a limited Lubavitcher askanim. They spoke to corporation searched for every amount of dollars so whoever the members of that Jewish cheap house available for sale and comes first will get one. Even organization and asked them how tried to buy it as quickly as possible though it’s a Poilishe way of doing they could sell the building to non- so as to keep it in Jewish hands. things, all the good things that Jews. However, the rate at which they come with the dollar will come They replied that in principle purchased houses was relatively and all the brachos are dependent they would agree to sell it to slow and the Rebbe demanded on me. Chabad even though they would more. A commotion ensued. Many offer a much lower price, but On Shabbos Parshas Mikeitz, Lubavitchers invested all their practically they wouldn’t sell to 5731, the Rebbe referred to the savings and borrowed additional them for the simple reason that corporation, its work and its money in order to be able to buy Chabad would also eventually leave difficult financial state. The Rebbe shares in the company where the Crown Heights and the profit from demonstrated the importance and Rebbe himself had shares. About that sale would go to them. urgency with which he viewed the $150,000 were raised in this way. When the askanim heard this work of the corporation by doing However, as the poet Tzvi Yair they promised them - and even something unusual – the Rebbe Steinmetz wrote in a report to the signed to it in the contract - that gave a segula. Rebbe dated 11 Nissan, 1971: “In the profit of a future sale would It was decided to make a the two months of the corporation’s belong to the organization. The corporation and to buy houses – existence we bought about ten place was never sold and today the has something happened with houses at the average price of R’ Levi Yitzchok Library and Tzach this? They say there is no money $30,000-$32,000. The cost of ten offices are located there. and without money you can’t do houses is about $300,000 and the anything. I asked whether they corporate capital amounts to about THE FORMING OF AN advertised. Does anyone know $150,000, which means we don’t ORGANIZATION TO about this? Nobody knows about have enough money.” it and they want me to publicize PURCHASE HOUSES The Rebbe contrasts the lack of it! activity in Crown Heights to the In order to deal with the I thought of connecting it to a action taken by the staff of the problem of buying houses to segula, even though in general Morgan Journal, even without a stabilize the community, a Chabad is different than Chagas leader, in what is apparently a corporation was formed. The [Poilisher Chassidim] but we see response to that report: corporation was the Rebbe’s idea that the world prefers how the “… Within 24 hours after the and he even gave $500 towards it. Poilisher do it and since they are closing of the Morgan Journal they In order for the corporation to be selling “shares” in the company I have already begun selling their able to buy every house that was will buy a share and pay for it own new newspaper (their leader

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isn’t in town) and I – after 24 months of speaking about WHO TAMPERED WITH THE FILE? the neighborhood, I don’t Many Chassidim who bought houses had unusual “Heavenly assistance” in know whether as of now they obtaining mortgages. One of those Chassidim was R’ Michel Vishedsky. have brought one person to At the time that the Rebbe was urging people to buy houses in Crown settle in the neighborhood. Heights, R’ Michel was a young newlywed. Since neither his parents nor his And it didn’t even help that in-laws had much money, the couple had to pay for their wedding themselves. $150,000 cash was put, Although many of his friends were buying houses, he simply couldn’t afford through an “arousal from to do so. Above,” into their fund.” After the farbrengen of Acharon shel Pesach, 1972, in which the Rebbe The big problem facing spoke about strengthening the neighborhood, R’ Michel decided to buy a the corporation was the fact house. A house was for sale on Montgomery Street. It was old and neglected that non-Jews were willing to and needed renovations. The owner, an older woman, was asking for $35,000 pay more than Jews. The Jews for the house. wanted to live in the area that The couple liked the house and the price seemed reasonable. When they had remained Jewish, near asked the Rebbe about it he said to buy it, and that he will mention it at the 770, and were unwilling to gravesite. (This was not a typical answer. Usually the Rebbe said “it should be consider houses that were in a good and auspicious time” or “as knowledgeable friends advise”). being sold on Schenectady R’ Michel paid for the services of a lawyer, Listman from Boro Park, who for the same price that they prepared the paperwork. Immediately after signing the contract he sent them could pay for a house near to the bank to get approved for a mortgage. They expected to get a mortgage Kingston. The gentiles were for $27,000. The remaining thousands of dollars they hoped to raise on their willing to pay nearly 50% own, even though it was a fortune for them. more for a house, which The bank sent someone a professional to assess the house in order to made it far more profitable establish the amount of the mortgage. The assessor kept commenting about for someone to sell to a non- the dilapidated state of the house. In a letter they got from the bank, it said Jew than to a Jew. they would approve a mortgage for only $17,000. Unfortunately, the desire R’ Michel and his wife knew they could not come up with the remaining for money and the attempt to $20,000 and considered canceling the contract. Then R’ Mendel Futerfas cover the tremendous losses came to Crown Heights. He heard their story and censured them, “The Rebbe entailed with the “white said to buy it! He did not give you the option of canceling this instruction.” flight” resulted in house after R’ Michel and his wife wrote to the Rebbe again. They explained the house being sold to non-Jews. situation and said they were buying only because the Rebbe told them to buy. A few people in a family or a After a short time they received the Rebbe’s response: “I will mention it at the young couple built a home in gravesite.” a different neighborhood and In the meantime, over a month had gone by since they had gotten the the rest of the family followed letter about the mortgage and they still hadn’t received word from the bank them. telling them to come and get the money. In every contract written in the “Persuasion does not help United States there is a stipulation that if thirty days go by and the mortgage and they have permission to was not received, the seller can cancel the contract. The homeowner had sell from their rabbanim and already said that if the notice from the bank did not come in a day or two, the g’dolim,” the administration deal was off. of the corporation reported to The lawyer Listman called the bank. The clerk asked him to call back in the Rebbe in the summer of an hour. An hour later Mr. Listman was transferred to the manager, who 1971. explained that the file couldn’t be found. When he called a third time the An additional difficulty manager said it still hadn’t been found. “This is the first time since I have that they had in buying been working here that a file disappeared. We will have to redo the process houses was the fact that but we will speed it up this time.” banks made it difficult for a The new assessor who came was a lot nicer than the previous one, and the business to get a mortgage, as next day the bank approved a mortgage for $28,000 and they bought the they preferred giving house. mortgages to private Someone up Above “tampered” with the file. homeowners. Most Lubavitchers could not

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so the chairman of the Vaad, has The Rebbe took an interest in every no place at all, for this is an detail of the corporation’s work. It was outright damage to the neighborhood.” not unusual for them to field questions Yet, when someone wrote the Rebbe that he wanted to raise from the Rebbe about particular houses, money on his own and buy buildings in Crown Heights so he with the Rebbe referring to specific could sell them to Chassidim at low prices, the Rebbe replied: addresses. “This pertains exclusively to the Vaad of the neighborhood and qualify for mortgages, but those words: This was written in great not to private people no matter who applied for one saw miracles sorrow. who they are, as is obvious.” occur. When the members of the Similarly, the Rebbe told Rabbi S The Rebbe took an interest in corporation tried to claim that the Sholom Dovber Wolpo, back in every detail of the corporation’s responsibility for certain things was 5729/1969 when he was a Tamim work. It was not unusual for them not theirs and that they had done in 770 and feeling the Rebbe’s pain, to field questions from the Rebbe all they could since the corporation when he told the Rebbe that some about particular houses, with the was formed, the Rebbe responded: bachurim had formed a group to Rebbe referring to specific “Surely even the corporation knows buy houses, “This is not your addresses. The members of the that 1) the sicha about the birurim.” committee were asked to give neighborhood etc. was on Acharon It was only a few years after its detailed reports about what was shel Pesach 2) that all the members founding that a change was made happening with the homes. The of the hanhala were all over bar in the corporation and they began Rebbe reacted to one letter in an mitzva then …” buying houses in every possible unusual manner, quoting lines from When Tzvi Steinmetz reported location. The gentiles were not the letter and asking pointed to the Rebbe about progress in pleased that Jews were getting questions about them. buying houses, the Rebbe houses cheaper than they were For example, when the members responded, “Thank you for the managing to get them, so they tried of the committee said regarding a good news. May this be a good to defame the corporation for certain building that they had heard beginning for more good news, racism. These claims were it was going to be sold to a Jew and especially regarding the debunked time and again in the then “nothing further was heard for sh’chuna.” newspapers by the askanim in several months” until they The Rebbe was unwilling to Crown Heights. R’ Yisroel discovered that the Jewish owner release anyone from his job despite Rosenfeld a”h was one of the had sold it to a goy, the Rebbe his criticism. For example, in foremost defenders. Nevertheless, responded by quoting this 5735/1975 the Rebbe wrote the the company had to be very paragraph: following in response to the circumspect. According to the law, This is the main thing – what chairman of the Vaad HaKahal the corporation, which was formed were all fifteen men with the regarding his intention to resign as a business venture, could not sell responsibility for their due to differences of opinion exclusively to Jews. “corporation” doing throughout among the members of the Vaad, Hundreds of homes were bought all these months – so that the etc.: over the years and this was followed situation would not deteriorate to “Surely the first priority with the purchase of many larger the way it is now (especially when amongst all of the above is the buildings, including apartment with some houses they saw the good of the neighborhood [the buildings. Every so often there were results of their approach not to do Jewish people who live therein – Melaveh Malkas to strengthen the anything until there is no doubt may they increase – shuls and community and the Rebbe would “that it is burning down,” r”l? It battei midrash and schools and participate with mezonos and seems to me that lack of activity chesed organizations etc. etc.] – mashke from the farbrengen. also has its limits. and according to this it is obvious The Rebbe ended this unusually that the resignation of anyone [To be continued be”H] sharp letter with heartbreaking from the Vaad, and all the more

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feature THE CHASSIDIC JAZZ MUSICIAN BEHIND THE SIMCHAS BEIS HASHOEIVA

by Yitzchok Wagshul

With Tishrei over, people all musicians deserve some recognition Piamenta on Sunday night and his across the globe are settling back for all that hard work. Shlomo father, Avi Piamenta, Monday night. into their normal routines — Recu, whom many recognized as And now for the story behind the invigorated with the renewed sense the drummer from countless story... of purpose and inspiration that only chassunos and other events, worked comes from spending the Yomim with bassist Shaya Lieberman — SWIMMING CHAMPION Tovim in Crown Heights. also well regarded for his wedding Some people have a natural This is a good time to look back work — to assemble and lead a first capacity for intensity. Whatever they at some of the high points of the rate band this year. The core do, they do it all the way. Whether experience in somewhat greater members were Shlomo and Shaya, competing as an Israeli swimming depth than was possible amid the of course, on drums and bass champion, performing as a jazz whirlwind of events. Let’s combine respectively; Shalom Lieberman on drummer with world-renowned this magazine’s interest in the stories keyboard; Gur Lorber on flute; and musicians, or learning and teaching of inspiring chassidim with a chance Yoni Lorber on guitar. These were about Moshiach and Geula, Shlomo to get to know the talented young supplemented by the expert services Recu is one of those people. musician behind this year’s Simchas of soundmen Stas Olshansky and Shlomo grew up in Beersheva, Beis HaShoeiva. Baba Z. of Sound Occurrence, who Israel, knowing Every night from 10-2, Shlomo usually work with the famous very little about Recu and Shaya Lieberman, leading Neginah Orchestra, as well a hand-picked group of performers, as by guest electrified throngs of thousands — appearances by from Crown Heights residents to flutists Yehuda Jews from and all walks of life elsewhere — who crowded onto Kingston Avenue between Crown and Montgomery Streets to rejoice in the unique experience of Simchas Beis HaShoeiva in the Rebbe’s neighborhood. Who are these people, these magicians who whipped us into a frenzy night after night after night? Let’s start by listing their names; after all, these

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religious Judaism. Instead, he was man hanging about, the bandleader right place to begin his path back to committed to... swimming. He called out to Shlomo, “You know Judaism. began at the incredibly young age how to play drums?” Meekly, As a sergeant in charge of the of two, and from ages 3–16 he Shlomo nodded yes (a wild kitchen on his base, Shlomo came competed in matches appropriate exaggeration at the time, to say the under the influence of an older man for his age class. By the time least) and the musician told him to who was a mashgiach supervising Shlomo was 14, he was ranked come sit at the drums. Of course, it kashrus there. The fellow’s friendly Israel’s number two swimmer in the didn’t take more than a few approach impressed him; when the 14–16 age group, and was offered moments for the man to realize that man explained that it is important the opportunity to train for the Shlomo didn’t really know how to for Jews to keep kosher, Shlomo Israeli Olympic swim team. But, play, but, without any other options, began doing so even outside the somewhere along the way, he’d he taught him two important basic army. By the time he was 22, he realized how much he enjoyed rhythms, saying, “When I hold up was shomer Shabbos, and banging on his mother’s pots and one finger, play number one, and confronting the inevitable challenge pans, and at 14, he was wrestling when I hold up two fingers, play of balancing his newfound beliefs with a big decision: should he number two.” That night, Shlomo and his budding post-army career as continue swimming, or devote played his first concert before 500 a jazz musician. Shlomo was quite himself to drums instead? people, and every night for the next busy playing five gigs a week, three three years—while his parents of which were on the most popular THE BIG BREAK thought he was just out with day for entertainment: Friday night friends—he was drummer for the and Shabbos. He cancelled the three Now, we may interject at this Cobra house band. Shabbos jobs, and soon after was point that most parents would be At 15, Shlomo was introduced to offered a lucrative contract with the skeptical of their 14-year-old’s jazz, and when he finally began Hilton Hotel that paid more for one chances of making a living as a formal lessons at 17, he studied in weekly appearance than the three drummer. The Recus were no Tel Aviv with Areleh Kaminsky, a cancelled gigs combined. exception, and discouraged Shlomo famous jazz musician and pioneer The young musician’s religious from pursuing that path. But if you who helped introduce the genre to leanings were strengthened when his think that stopped him, then you Israel. After six months, Shlomo grandfather passed away around have underestimated that intensity, became Kaminsky’s protégé, and then. Since Shlomo’s mother is an that determination, that drive. would sometimes sit in and replace only child, there was no one in the Young Shlomo’s parents would not him on gigs. In this way, even at family to say Kaddish for the pay for drum lessons, so he secretly such a young age, Shlomo was able departed, and Rabbi Yosef Simcha went around to Beersheva to meet and perform with some of Ginsburg, the rov of Omer, ruled nightclubs in search of a job as a the biggest names in jazz in Israel. that since his parents wished it, busboy that, he hoped, would Shlomo could say Kaddish for his finance his training. They say that grandfather. As a result, he davened Hashem works in mysterious ways, THE PATH BACK with a minyan three times a day for and in light of the Rebbe’s eventual TO JUDAISM almost a year, and was very inspired advice to Shlomo that he pursue his Since people of all backgrounds by the words of the t’fillos. career as a musician (we’ll get to enter the Israeli army, the military (Interestingly, after Shlomo’s that in a bit), He must have been has a special classification for grandmother passed away many behind what happened next, because soldiers who possess outstanding years later, that same rov reversed this is where our hero gets his first skills or knowledge in their fields. his earlier ruling, saying he had big break. There is a famous club in The theory is that people who can since learned that the Rebbe had Beersheva that was then known as potentially make important said it was improper.) the Cobra, and is now called the contributions to the country should Meanwhile, his musical training Forum. Shlomo stopped in to ask remain able to do so if at all was ready to move on to the next about busboy positions just as the possible. When Shlomo entered the level. After the army, Shlomo had club band was rehearsing, and, as army, he was designated as a toured abroad with a band he watched, the bandleader got musicai mitztayen, or “outstanding representing Israel, and had angry at the drummer and fired musician,” which allowed him to attended Israel’s top school for jazz, him. Now without someone to play serve a shorter and relatively easier the Rimon School of Jazz and that evening and seeing a young term. Possibly, it also put him in the Contemporary Music. His teachers

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Finally, the Israeli bachurim he loved to ARGUING AGAINST MOSHIACH argue with told him, “Listen, if you Shlomo arrived in Crown Heights in Elul, 5758 (August, want to argue, you can, but first you 1998), having just turned 24. He have to know what the facts. Otherwise, spent his first six months engaged in music, davening in 770, learning, your opinion won’t have any basis.” and arguing against Meshichism. Finally, the Israeli bachurim he loved there knew him from his days as to argue with told him, “Listen, if Areleh Kaminsky’s protégé, and you want to argue, you can, but first urged him not to “waste his time” in you have to know what the facts. Israel — Shlomo needed to go to Otherwise, your opinion won’t have New York. But by that time, Shlomo any basis.” They referred him to was the busiest jazz drummer in sichos about Moshiach and Geula, Israel — even his teachers would especially those from the years 5752 call asking if he could book them and 5753, and suggested he study for gigs — and he didn’t leave right them on his own (as a Hebrew away. His plan was to save enough speaker, this was not a problem money for an exploratory trip: he despite his limited background) so would audition at the prestigious that he not suspect them of trying to Manhattan School of Music, influence his understanding. investigate other schools, and visit Learning those sichos made Shlomo New York jazz clubs, then return to realize there is something going on Israel and await word from the around the concept of Moshiach that schools. he didn’t know, and he stopped It didn’t work out quite that arguing. Instead, he dedicated way. himself to studying the subject in “If there is anywhere in the Young Shlomo further depth. world where people sincerely try to Also around then, Shlomo was matter were connected with live that way, it is worth joining told that he had been accepted into Lubavitch. When he heard that them.” the Manhattan School of Music and Shlomo was about to travel to New Just before leaving for New York, awarded an 80% merit scholarship. York, Rabbi Gerlitzky asked him to someone brought Shlomo to a Although this was his dream come take along a letter for his friend, Tanya shiur in Tel Aviv. It was given true, Shlomo was ready for another Rabbi Shlomo Kugel of Chabad of by Rabbi Yossi Gerlitzky, and the of those life-changing decisions: his the West Side. Unbeknownst to subject was Perek Lamed Beis — exposure to life among frum Jews in Shlomo, it was a letter of the 32nd chapter, in which the Alter Crown Heights had convinced him introduction about himself, but Rebbe discusses the key to true that there was something real about when he arrived in New York the Ahavas Yisroel. When Rabbi Judaism; something he needed to rabbi was not available right away, Gerlitzky asked what he thought, know. Shlomo resolved that, if he so Shlomo just dropped off the the young man replied that if there was going to devote four years of his letter and left. After a few days of is anywhere in the world where life to studying — an opportunity he trying to find an apartment in people sincerely try to live that way, would not get again — it would be Manhattan, though, he thought, it is worth joining them. Rabbi better to use the time providing “why not ask that rabbi,” and ended Gerlitzky just smiled, and remarked himself and his future family with a up at the Chabad House again. “I’ve that the way you can tell if people solid grounding in Jewish been trying to find you for days!” are trying to live that way is to knowledge. He decided to turn exclaimed Rabbi Kugel, and observe whether they have chayus down his place in the Manhattan suggested that Shlomo would have a — enthusiasm, “life.” He did not School of Music and enroll in better chance of finding an mention anything about Chabad; yeshiva. affordable apartment in Crown Shlomo didn’t realize, at the time, It was Rabbi Gerlitzky’s advice at Heights. that either the rabbi or the subject the Tanya shiur in Tel Aviv that

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Sometimes, Shlomo would daven in Students show up for their drum class the hallway at City College, and thinking about rock stars and students would stop at the sight of a Jew wearing tzitzis and t’fillin. Many expecting, perhaps, a guy with long hair would ask Shlomo to help them put on t’fillin as well, and plenty of and tattoos, and instead, who is at the meaningful conversations took place in those halls. drums? A bona fide, bearded chassid! All throughout school, Shlomo kept busy with gigs and touring. helped Shlomo decide on his next for her question about university, After graduation, he put his degree stop. He visited several Lubavitcher that would come after spending to use as a music teacher in several yeshivos for baalei t’shuva, and some time in Tomchei T’mimim. New York-area Jewish schools. And decided that, for him, Seagate had here is where Shlomo has been the chayus he was looking for. He By now, Shlomo was a dedicated making his biggest impact: students spent the next six months there in chassid and an ardent Meshichist. show up for their drum class intensive learning, after which he He went through the cycle of the thinking about rock stars and learned in 770 for six months and in sichos of ’52 and’53 each year for expecting, perhaps, a guy with long Tzfat for another six months. three years, and came to the point hair and tattoos, and instead, who is All that time, he did not so much where he felt he could doubt at the drums? A bona fide, bearded as touch a drum. anything else but that the Rebbe is chassid! His playing blows them Moshiach. He now wrote to the away; they never imagined a rabbi ANSWERS FROM Rebbe himself, seeking guidance as could be so “cool.” Those students THE REBBE to how to progress in his learning are completely won over, and hang and development. He received a on Shlomo’s every word. He is a This was not the path that surprise: just as the Rebbe had valuable role model at these Jewish Shlomo’s secular Israeli parents had indicated in his earlier response to schools. expected for their son. While he was his mother, the Rebbe now still in Seagate, Shlomo’s mother instructed Shlomo to leave yeshiva THE STUDENTS decided to write to the Rebbe with and resume his studies from before her “complaints.” She wrote a letter yeshiva, adding that Shlomo should DANCED YECHI mentioning three points: 1) She did not forget to bring Jews closer to This incident happened last year not approve of Shlomo’s new beard; Judaism. at Torah Academy of Brooklyn 2) Shlomo was wasting his time in (TAB), a Litvishe kiruv school where yeshiva; and 3) Shlomo was not A “COOL” RABBI?! Shlomo teaches, and illustrates the going to university as planned. The above—as well as the power of Rebbe’s reply was astonishing: the Armed with such clear direction sincerity and strength in one’s letter was placed at a point in the from the Rebbe, Shlomo enrolled in beliefs: Igros Kodesh where there were three the New School in Manhattan, later One day, as Shlomo entered his letters from the Rebbe, directly switching to the more prestigious classroom, his students—seven 17- addressing, in order, Mrs. Recu’s (and affordable) music program at year-old boys—began dancing to the three points. In the first, the Rebbe City College. He would learn sichos tune of Yechi, and announced that wrote that he is surprised at her, a on the subway to and from school, they had decided to become compassionate mother, for not and found that he was going Lubavitchers like Shlomo. He smiled supporting her son in his decision to through five to seven sichos a week and said it won’t affect their grades, grow a beard despite the family’s — more than when he was in whereupon they danced again. The disapproval; the Rebbe added that he yeshiva! He graduated with a boys told Shlomo they had only one hoped she would forgive the Rebbe Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in problem: how could he say the for his “harsh words.” (When Mrs. music. Rebbe is Moshiach? Shlomo Recu read that, she broke down in As for bringing Jews closer to answered that this is a personal tears.) The Rebbe’s second letter Judaism — Shlomo says that jazz belief and strong feeling of his, and said that she should thank G-d that musicians are extremely spiritual if they want to ask about such a her son has the z’chus to learn in people. This is reflected in their personal matter—why he feels and Tomchei T’mimim. Finally, the music, which is 90% innovation, and believes a certain way—they should Rebbe said in the third letter that, as they are open to spiritual things. each undertake some personal

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improvement, a hachlata, of their own and then he will tell them. Sure enough, each boy chose a hachlata for himself, and then Shlomo discussed his belief in the Rebbe with them. After class, he found the menahel, Rabbi Davidowitz, waiting for him in the hall: he had heard the sounds of the students dancing Yechi in Shlomo’s classroom, and was summoning him to his office to demand an explanation. Shlomo related what had happened, and the rabbi asked, “Well? Do you believe the Rebbe is Moshiach?” So Shlomo told Rabbi Davidowitz the same thing he had told the boys: this question has nothing to do with their Shlomo Recu with drums at SBH (Mendy Hechtman) relationship as employer and employee, but is a personal question said, “I want this young man to a sea of black swirling and twisting, about Shlomo’s own beliefs, and in teach for us more.” Rabbi as though the asphalt itself were exchange for Shlomo sharing the Gottesman was calling to increase moving, bobbing up and down. And, answer, he would appreciate it if the Shlomo’s hours of teaching! he realized, they were bobbing to his rabbi reciprocate by undertaking his bass drum! Each time he pressed on own personal improvement. But, his foot pedal, hitting the drum, the Shlomo added, so as not to put the SIMCHAS BEIS HA’SHOEIVA “street” would jump. And nothing rabbi on the spot, he did not have to compares, he says, to the experience tell Shlomo his hachlata right then; At the Simchas Beis HaShoeiva, of shouting, “We want...” and rather, he could think it over and Shlomo and his colleagues tried to hearing thousands of people respond decide in his own time. After the offer a medley of popular chassidishe in unison, “Moshiach now!” May we conversation, Shlomo went home, niggunim, while at the same time all realize that yearning with and no sooner did he come out of infusing them with a bit of a twist. Moshiach immediately. the subway than his cell phone rang. He says the experience was Shlomo and the band wish to thank Zev It was the principal, Rabbi humbling and very exciting at the Cadaner and the Vaad HaKahal for Gottesman, who was second in same time, because from where the giving them the opportunity to play for command to the menahel. It seems band played, especially during the the people of Crown Heights. Shlomo Rabbi Davidowitz had been so peak hours of around 12:30–2, the Recu lives in Crown Heights with his wife impressed by Shlomo’s pure emuna entire street was so packed that the and daughter, and can be reached at that he called Rabbi Gottesman and people weren’t visible; there was just 646-769-0689.

[Continued from pg. 5] In this context, it is significant that this charge was addressed 15:14) with “great wealth.” And as explained with regard to to Avrohom. Avrohom’s habits and way of thinking were on a Avrohom, this wealth was symbolic of the elevation of the G- Notes: developed plane. Nevertheless, he was instructed to proceed dly sparks contained within the land. 1. Genesis 11:26-31. to a higher level, one which transcends the limits of mortal 17. Sota 10a. 2. Genesis 12:1. potential. 18. Genesis 21:33. 3. Kiddushin 31a. 10. Alshich on this verse, Or HaTorah, Lech Lecha, p. 680b 19. Ibid. 17:5. 4. See Likkutei Torah, Parshas B’Chukosai 45c. et al. 20. In his commentary to that verse. 5. There is also another dimension to this point of transition. 11. Tanya, ch. 2. 21. Genesis 17:13. Previously, Avrohom’s service was primarily inner-directed, 12. This also relates to the divine service of t’shuva which while his journey to Eretz Yisroel began a phase of working chassidic thought interprets, not as “repentance,” but as 22. Our Sages (Shir HaShirim Rabba 1:3; Likkutei Sichos, with others. The two concepts are interrelated, for the infinite “return,” a return to one’s essential G-dly core. See the essay Vol. 8, p. 58 and sources cited there) contrast the mitzvos power of a mitzvah allows a person to go beyond his own entitled “T’shuva - Return, not Repentance” in Timeless performed by the forefathers with those performed after the personal limits. Patterns In Time, Vol. I, (Kehot, N.Y., 1993). giving of the Torah, explaining that the mitzvos performed by the forefathers were “ethereal,” i.e., they did not affect the 6. Torah Or, Parshas Lech Lecha 11c. Seifer HaArachim 13. cf Genesis 42:9, 12. nature of this material world. In contrast, the mitzvos we Chabad, erech Avrohom, sec. 4. 14. Torah Or, VaEira, p. 57b ff. perform infuse our material existence with holiness, to the 7. Genesis 9:12. 15. Genesis 13:2. extent that the articles with which mitzvos are performed 8. B’Reishis Rabba and Rashi on this verse. 16. In this vein, our Sages (B’Reishis Rabba 40:6) explain become consecrated. [See the essay entitled “What Happened 9. In this vein, Chassidic thought interprets the command, that Avrohom’s journeys to and from Egypt served as a at Sinai? What the Giving of the Torah Means to Us” “Go out of your land, your native country, and your father’s forerunner for the subsequent descent and ascent of his (Timeless Patterns In Time, Vol. II, Kehot, N.Y., 1993). house,” as a charge to leave ones established habits and descendants. Like him, they suffered difficulty in that land, ordinary way of thinking. but ultimately, left (as G-d promised to Avrohom, Genesis

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obituary

uniqueness as both a shliach of the Rebbe and a rav of a city. “He was a loyal shliach of the Rebbe who RABBI was involved in kiruv and hafatza. He loved people and brought them to Torah.” A representative of the Ben Tziyon shul, Yeshaya Unger said, BENTZION “You were connected to everyone and everybody was connected to you. You attended every event you were invited to and every siyum of a tractate. When you were unable LIPSKER AH to attend you apologized. There were no barriers with you. Your children learned together with ours in the state religious school. By Menachem Ziegelboim Up Above, pray for your family and for the residents of Arad.” The rav’s son-in-law, Rabbi Chabad Chassidim were shocked and Mendelsohn, related that R’ Lipsker’s final words were, “I love saddened by the news of the passing of them all,” and then he recited the Shma. “You never rested. You Rabbi Bentzion Lipsker at the relatively constantly thought about how to young age of 65. R’ Lipsker was the rav make progress and how to work with the Russian immigrants, of Arad for 32 years, as well as a member arranging brissin and weddings. For every meal you wanted guests. of the Chabad Beis Din in Eretz Yisroel. When you walked in the street on Sukkos after the davening you looked for people so you could A large crowd assembled for enable them to do the mitzva of the funeral of the rav of Arad, lulav. The Rebbe sent you here Rabbi Bentzion Lipsker a”h. The and you were a loyal shliach of the Chief Sefardic Rabbi of Arad, Rebbe. When the Rebbe met the Rabbi Yosef Albo, eulogized him Gerrer Rebbe, he asked him, ‘Do and said that for over thirty years you know my man in Arad?’” they had worked together in the Many years ago, R’ Lipsker rabbinate and R’ Lipsker was like granted Beis Moshiach an his friend and brother. “It’s a interview in which he told his great loss for Arad. We all feel personal story, about private what Chazal say about Yaakov, audiences with the Rebbe, letters that when he left Beer Sheva the and instructions. The following is glory of the city left with him.” taken from that interview. Gideon Bar Lev, mayor of Arad, spoke of the tremendous work R’ Lipsker had done for the RABBI LIPSKER SPEAKS residents of Arad for 32 years and TO BEIS MOSHIACH about his graciousness to one and I was born in Georgia in the R’ Lipsker when he attended yeshiva in Lud all. He described R’ Lipsker’s former Soviet Union. What was great simcha on Yomim Tovim, at my Ashkenazic family doing in simchos, and the annual Lag Rabbi Ashkenazi, rav of Kfar Georgia? My parents were sent B’Omer parade. Chabad, noted R’ Lipsker’s there by the Rebbe Rayatz. For a

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long time there was a Chabad presence in Georgia, led by the Chassidim Rabbi Shmuel Levitin and Rabbi Avrohom Slavin. They disseminated Torah there for many years. During World War II, when numerous refugees arrived in Georgia, they were there to assist them. Our family lived in Georgia for thirteen years. My father, R’ Aryeh Zev, opened a branch of Tomchei T’mimim. At the age of 18 he was a Mashgiach in Tomchei T’mimim and the Rebbe Rayatz said about him, “I am amazed by him, how he is a maven in a bachur …” We illegally crossed the border in the well-known escape from Russia and arrived in Germany in 1946, together with other Lubavitcher families including R’ Avrohom Drizin, R’ Mordechai Perlow and many others. My father immediately founded another branch of Tomchei T’mimim. My first haircut was given to me in Germany and I still remember it. We arrived in Eretz Yisroel during the War of Independence. We spent the first month in the transit camp in Beer Yaakov and then we moved to nearby Lud. My older brothers soon left to learn in the Chabad yeshiva in Tel Aviv. Some time afterwards the yeshiva in Lud was founded with my father, of course, being one of the people involved. My early childhood years were When my father asked the Rebbe spent in the Chabad school in Lud but since there was no class for whether I should look for a shidduch, children my age, from age six to eight I traveled to Kfar Chabad to the Rebbe wrote that I could do so on learn. Then I returned to Lud, where I learned with boys who condition that I continue learning for were three years older than me. several years after I got married. This The Chassidic figure who I remember more than anyone else was not at all the usual letter one is the mashpia, R’ Shlomo Chaim Kesselman. From the age of 4 to received from the Rebbe regarding a 22, I was close to him. He also lived in Lud and between our shidduch.

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home and the yeshiva building where he lived there was just one From the Rebbe’s answer I understood wall. All of my Chassidishe that I had to return to kollel and learn. childhood memories are of him. The songs, the stories, the I went to R’ Efraim Wolf and showed niggunim, the farbrengens, the conduct – I saw and heard it all him the Rebbe’s answer and asked him from him. He was a friend of my parents to accept me in the kollel. He shrugged from Russia; when he was exiled to Poltava he would come and eat and said that he was told by the Rebbe at my parents’ home every day. that a married man should learn in My mother a”h related that he once came to our house on a kollel for two years and so he could not Friday shortly before candle lighting and asked whether he accept me. could still eat something since he had davened at such length that he The Rebbe’s answer is printed in entire time about limud ha’Torah. did not conclude until Mincha. volume 15, p. 257 of Igros When I asked about other things I still remember R’ Shlomo Kodesh: in avodas Hashem, the Rebbe told Chaim going in the morning to the As for what you wrote about me I should be involved in limud zal for Chassidus. It was usually the seudas mitzva, find out if ha’Torah, fulfilling mitzvos around the same time that my there is a custom in your place b’hiddur, and avodas ha’t’filla and mother would open the grocery under these circumstances and if that the other things would work store and every so often he would not, make it on time, i.e. the out as a matter of course. come in and help her raise the night of the 8th of Av. If, for The Rebbe told me, “All the shutters, and he would always whatever reason, this is not questions you asked regarding greet her pleasantly, “Good possible, then on the Shabbos yourself and the others you morning, Malka.” that follows. May he go from a mentioned, it will all work out I also remember special ben 13 for mitzvos to a ben 15 with learning.” moments from yeshiva in Pardes- for Gemara etc. and may you and When my father asked the Lud; the veteran Chassidim, the your wife have from him and all Rebbe whether I should look for a mashpiim and shluchim that we your children much genuine shidduch, the Rebbe wrote back have today in Chabad, developed nachas which is Yiddishe, that I could do so on condition in the yeshiva in those years. I Chassidishe nachas. that I continue learning for several remember R’ Gershon Mendel From a young age I received years after I got married. In those Garelik, R’ Itzke Springer, R’ letters from the Rebbe with days that was highly unusual Munke Gruzman, R’ Elozor various instructions. The common because Kollelim were not Garelik, R’ Zelig Feldman, R’ denominator in all of them was to widespread. In the letter that the Moshke Naparstek, R’ Yisroel learn diligently. I once asked the Rebbe wrote to me he said, “This Friedman, R’ Meir Friedman, R’ Rebbe whether to be a counselor does not contradict what I said Moshe Slonim, R’ Yeshavam in a summer camp, which was an about learning diligently, Segal, R’ Yisroel Dubroskin H”yd, accepted practice among the especially according to what the R’ Simcha Zilberstron Hy”d, and bachurim. The letter I received Alter Rebbe paskens about the Lifsh brothers. from the Rebbe said that instead learning for two or three years of being a counselor I should after marriage.” This was not at A SURPRISING learn. That’s the way it went all the usual letter one received INSTRUCTION throughout the years. The Rebbe from the Rebbe regarding a constantly urged me to learn and shidduch. FROM THE REBBE to be involved in learning. I had thought I would be an As the date for my bar mitzva, My first yechidus took place askan or someone who gave 8 Av, 1957, approached, my father when I was a bachur on K’vutza in shiurim in yeshiva, or something asked the Rebbe how to celebrate 5724. The Rebbe spoke to me the along those lines. The Rebbe, it since it was Erev Tisha B’Av.

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however, told me to learn. After I got married I learned for several years. At that time, married men learned for two years in Kollel at most and then left to make a living or be involved in klal work. Two years after I began learning in kollel, people from the yeshiva in Kfar Chabad came and asked me to teach one of the upper classes. They offered a decent salary. I told them I had to ask the Rebbe but they suggested that I start working and if it worked out, then I should ask the Rebbe whether this should be a permanent job. R’ Lipsker receiving a Tanya from the Rebbe After two months I wrote to the Rebbe and asked whether I should continue teaching, but I did not get an answer. A few months later I asked again and still there was no response. A year went by and I felt constantly in a quandary, wondering whether I was doing the right thing or not. At a certain point I decided to ask again. I wrote a long letter. On one page I wrote all my personal matters and on the second page I wrote that I was a maggid shiur in Kfar Chabad, that I was successful with the students, but I didn’t know whether I was doing the right thing. I added that R’ Lipsker with his students in yeshivas Achei T’mimim in Rishon L’Tziyon I hadn’t received an answer yet had never considered being a rav. I wrote a long letter. I asked the from the Rebbe and I was asking I wanted to be a shliach or an Rebbe regarding my father, for he whether to continue and if so, I askan but not a rav. From the had been made an offer to move asked for a bracha. If not, then I Rebbe’s answer I understood that to a new neighborhood established wanted the Rebbe to tell me what I had to return to kollel and learn, in Kiryat Malachi where he would to do. and that is what I did. I went to R’ get a nice apartment and the A few weeks went by and then Efraim Wolf and showed him the weather was better than in Lud. I received an answer to everything Rebbe’s answer and asked him to Then I wrote about my I had written about. As for my accept me in the kollel. He problem and said that the Rebbe future, the Rebbe added in his shrugged and said that he was told had written that I should learn in handwriting: It would be right for by the Rebbe that a married man order to get rabbinical ordination you to try and learn in order to should learn in kollel for two years but in Eretz Yisroel things worked receive heter horaa v’rabbonus and so he could not accept me. according to political etc. (rabbinical ordination). That left me stuck, not knowing considerations and “pull” and Nothing was said about what to do next. getting a rabbinic position was teaching in yeshiva. I spent Yud Shevat of 5730 nearly impossible without The Rebbe’s directing me with the Rebbe and before I went, protektzia. towards rabbanus surprised me. I

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THE SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE LEV SIMCHA AND R’ LIPSKER

The Rebbe’s shliach and rav of Arad, Rabbi sent you here, nothing will help them. You will remain Bentzion Lipsker, had a special relationship with the here.” Gerrer Rebbe, the Lev Simcha (Rabbi Simcha Bunim At a certain point he was instrumental in raising Alter, d. 1992): money for my shiurim and sustenance when I had “The Gerrer Rebbe visited Arad many times. At nothing to live on. He gave me tremendous support first, we were the only religious Jews in Arad. He throughout my hardest times. A Litvishe rav once started coming to vacation here many years before he came here and said that the eiruv was pasul. I made succeeded his brother, the Beis Yisroel, as Rebbe in the rounds with him and he pointed out what seemed 5737/1977. After assuming the mantle of leadership, no good to him. Rabbi Rubin was with us and after he still continued to come five or six times a year on another check I said that I thought the eiruv was vacation. He loved the city very much. He maintained kosher. We went to Rabbi Wosner, who listened to that Arad is spiritually significant and that this is each of us and then paskened that the eiruv was where the Avos passed through. He brought proof kosher. from Tanach and various other sources like the I told the Gerrer Rebbe what happened and he Targum Yerushalmi, that the king of Grar is the king asked me, “What do you say?” I said that I thought of Arad. the eiruv was kosher. In 5740 he founded Kiryat Ger in Arad and he “If you think it is kosher, then it’s fine,” he said, encouraged his followers to live here, saying that it is and as a sign of kiruv he gave me mandlach a city which has a segula for giving birth to children. (almonds) and cited the verse in Mishlei, “My son, if We had close ties long before he founded the Ger your heart is wise, then my heart rejoices, as do I.” enclave here. He would daven in the Pe’er Yisroel shul The following Shabbos he took his handkerchief in and “Yarmak” and every Friday night he made sure I his hand and said, “Chutzpa, there is a man here who addressed the congregation while he himself listened is moser nefesh in order to provide Yiddishkait here closely. Over the years that he was here, he only held and someone from the outside comes and tells him a tish two or three times for his Chassidim, and then what to do.” Then the Rebbe left his house publicly too, he directed me to say divrei Torah before he holding his tallis and walked to the Gerrer shtibel, himself did. He was simply unwilling to begin which made quite a tumult. speaking until I said something. If that wasn’t enough, the following two incidents Naturally, I reported this to the Rebbe and one are chilling. There was someone here who greatly time I got a note from the Rebbe in which he asked interfered with my work. I told the Gerrer Rebbe and me whether my connection with the Lev Simcha was he said along the lines of the well known idiom, “If he ongoing. On another occasion, the Rebbe asked me in doesn’t understand Yiddish, I will speak to him in yechidus, “What do you hear from the Gerrer French.” A short while later, the man experienced Rebbe?” One time, when I passed by the Rebbe for many personal tzaros and he lost his public standing. dollars, the Rebbe asked me, “Have you seen the The municipality was making me problems and the Gerrer Rebbe lately? How is he?” Gerrer Rebbe called for one of his Chassidim and told The Gerrer Rebbe was witness to the enormous him to try to settle things as they ought to be, and that difficulties directed at me in the early years. He also if the municipality was still unwilling, he would tell his witnessed the tremendous work that I did as I started Chassidim who lived there not to pay arnona out. In one of my first months here we met and he (property tax). said to me, “They simply want to drive you out of I have no doubt that the honor he gave me was here.” Then he asked me, “Who sent you here?” thanks to my being a shliach of the Rebbe. When I told him, he said, “If the Lubavitcher Rebbe

When I entered for yechidus, I Chabad, it’s a very important for you to move to Nachalat Har submitted this note. The Rebbe inyan. Speak to Efraim Wolf to see Chabad. If your wife agrees, then read it quickly and began to whether you could get an move to Nachalat Har Chabad. As answer: “Regarding Nachalat Har apartment there; it would be good for your father, how is it possible?

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R’ Lipsker teaching someone how to put on a tallis R’ Lipsker holding the coronation text appointing him as rav of Arad He needs his doctor, his shul and involved, the matter was in good his friends. hands. government and Menachem Begin “As for your work in Torah had become the Prime Minister. I study, continue learning in order “ARAD IS AN approached some askanim and to get rabbinic ordination. Since IMPORTANT CITY” consulted with them about the you also need some parnasa, work In 5734 I received an offer for offer nonetheless. They told me half a day in yeshiva. As for that several years had gone by politics etc. and your saying it’s rabbanus in the southern city of Arad. I asked the Rebbe about it in since the Rebbe’s response and hard to get a position, perhaps that no longer applied nevertheless, you will be helped.” yechidus and the answer was negative: “It is an important city after the political scene had I stood there stunned. I was changed. utterly confounded. Within a and you don’t have experience yet as a rav - you will fail there.” After receiving this advice, I matter of moments, the Rebbe had sent a telegram to the Rebbe and changed my entire life. I had Although Arad was a small city, it was considered significant. The asked whether to submit my recently moved to Lud at the time, candidacy. The answer surprised after having exerted much effort to mayor was Bayge Shochet, the son-in-law of Levi Eshkol. The me. The Rebbe said that since get my apartment, and now the several years had passed, “perhaps Rebbe was sending me to Nachala city was ardently Mapai, a stronghold for the Left. The Rebbe things have changed and you while leaving my father in Lud! should speak with rabbanei I went back to learning in once said to the Gerrer Rebbe that “Arad is a chashuve city.” Chabad and askanei Chabad.” I kollel and taught in the spoke with rabbanei Chabad and afternoons. I taught for six or Very few religious Jews lived in Arad at that time and in hindsight, they told me to submit my seven years after my wedding candidacy. while simultaneously studying for I also realized that the time wasn’t right for me. In 5738, an open call Some time afterwards elections smicha at Heichal Shlomo. took place and I was among the I began looking for a rabbinic to apply for the position of rav was announced. The day before candidates. I went to Arad for a position, as the Rebbe had Shabbos and spoke in one of the directed. The search lasted six the closing of the open call, someone met me and suggested shuls. I was a complete unknown years, from 5732 to 5738. I didn’t but when the Rebbe is involved, search intensively but considered that I submit my candidacy. I said that the Rebbe had already told me things don’t work out in the different suggestions which were natural way. I was elected relatively nixed one by one. What kept me not to go to Arad. This was after a major easily despite my anonymity. Just going was what the Rebbe had one month later I began to told me, “you will be helped.” I transitional time in Israel, when the Left was out of the experience tremendous difficulties, knew that if the Rebbe was as I will go on to tell you.

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with three small children. Chinuch I was the only Lubavitcher in the city. I was a big problem for there was davened in the main shul and after no “kosher” chinuch in Arad at the time. It was no simple matter everybody had already gone home to to send them to Beer Sheva or to Kiryat Malachi every day. The eat, I still stood there, wrapped in my second year of my rabbinate was a Shmita year and we could not tallis, thinking about the distance obtain bread with a proper hechsher locally. My young between me and the Rebbe and a proper daughters who learned in Beer Chabad minyan. Sheva would return home with bags of bread. Not to mention that ONE LUBAVITCHER without exception. Arad did not even have meat, fish, or fruits and vegetables with a IN ARAD People still approach me and tell me that they remember a story proper hechsher. The city was The official elections were I told twenty years ago. We don’t distant not only physically, but actually to fill the position of always see results until years later, spiritually too. council member of the local and all the baalei t’shuva here rabbinical council, but in practice, testify to that. Perhaps the UNCOMPROMISING the person who filled the position “t’shuva revolution” back then laid would fill the role of Ashkenazic BATTLE FOR JEWISH the foundation for the spiritual Chief Rabbi of the city. PRINCIPLES revolution taking place now. I began with chinuch. I went to That period wasn’t easy; not at My work shook up the small the schools and introduced myself all. After living as a resident of city. Some people might say that a as the new rav of the city and said Shikun Chabad in Lud and Kiryat rabbi ought to enter quietly and I wanted to give some Yiddishkait Malachi, among many Chassidim, then conquer the city with quiet to the children. Although this was the loneliness was very hard. But I work, but I entered in a storm, as a city of Mapainiks, they can say with certainty that in Arad the Rebbe’s shliach, which did not welcomed me graciously. There I felt that the Rebbe was with me make me so popular in all circles. was a great interest. We made big more strongly than I felt in 770! Problems arose from the religious rallies for all the children and I remember my first Rosh council and from various people taught about Judaism. We rented HaShana in Arad. I was the only who piled obstacles in my way at the local movie theater and in a Lubavitcher in the city. I davened every step. Since they wanted to series of rallies all the children - in the main shul and after trip me up, they made me about 3000 of them - attended everybody had already gone home responsible for the kashrus gatherings for Shavuos, Rosh to eat, I still stood there, wrapped department. HaShana and the rest of the in my tallis, thinking about the I began to closely check out the holidays. distance between me and the existing kashrus system and was Before Rosh HaShana I went Rebbe and a proper Chabad taken aback by what I found. I to each school and blew the shofar minyan. I began to daven and saw that we could not continue and made a presentation about the suddenly I felt that I was standing this way and I decided to start it holiday. There wasn’t a child in in front of the Rebbe. I felt close all from the beginning again, to the city who did not learn about to the Rebbe; a personal establish rules and new standards, the Yomim Tovim and did not hear connection with the Rebbe, just as well as conditions and the shofar. the Rebbe and me. It was an safeguards. I removed many I did a Jewish Education Day. amazing feeling. hechsherim from hotels that were All the teachers of the schools The difficulties in this distant unwilling to accept the new terms. convened for a day of lectures at city were many. From every One day, I was called to an the sports complex. Professor direction problems cropped up - urgent meeting with the mayor. Branover and other great lecturers most were premeditated. You can’t He was sitting with the Sefardic spoke about the importance of imagine how hard it was. Chief Rabbi, the head of the chinuch. It was unbelievable how I arrived from Kiryat Malachi religious council, the mayor, and they all cooperated with this, the leading hotel owners who were

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very powerful and influential men. In order to understand what this was about, I must explain that Bayge was the supreme boss. He was one of the builders of Arad and his standing in the city was authoritative. He was furious with me since tourism brought in a lot of money and employment opportunities to the city. One of the hotel owners attacked me, saying, “He is making us problems. He wants to ruin us.” I was the new, young rabbi who had to face the powers- that-be without a single person on my side. I replied to the accusation with confidence. “I am just a young rabbi,” I acknowledged, “but I am R’ Lipsker with bar mitzva boys on Masada from Russia, where my father suffered from persecution by the SPECIAL TREATMENT will be helped.” KGB. He wasn’t afraid of them. FROM THE REBBE I finally submitted my When it came to Judaism, he just candidacy and I saw the All along the way I got special did his own thing. Now I am hashgacha pratis here, too, in that treatment from the Rebbe. When I letting you know that just as he in the end, I was the only arrived in Arad, the Rebbe wrote wasn’t afraid of their jails, I am candidate. Before the election I to me, “Change your location, not at all afraid of you. If you called the secretary, R’ Groner and change your mazal.” abide by the rules, you will be told him that the elections would As I related, we had problems certified, and if you don’t, you be taking place shortly and he with chinuch because there were won’t. This is a democratic should inform the Rebbe. R’ no religious schools yet (it was country and just as nobody Groner told the Rebbe that they two to three years later that Ger obligates you to have kashrus were going to elect R’ Lipsker as built up a neighborhood here). It certification, nobody obligates me rav now. I called back ten minutes was very hard. The Rebbe sent me to give you a hechsher without later and R’ Groner went back to answers as a father to a son. Do your abiding by the kashrus the Rebbe and said, “Now R’ such and such. Send your eight guidelines!” Lipsker is being elected as rav of your old daughter to Beer Sheva My response was effective and Arad.” The Rebbe smiled broadly, and the next one to Nachalat Har the meeting quickly ended. This a rare smile of enormous pleasure. Chabad, and send the other one to was also one of those things where I later received a letter from Kfar Chabad. We were told what I saw the results years later. the Rebbe which began, “I to do with each daughter at each Boruch Hashem the hechsher of received the news via phone and stage. the Rabbanut of Arad now has a thank you.” In the margin the In 5743 there were elections good reputation as one of the Rebbe added, “With blessing for for rav of the city. It was a long more reliable hechsherim, and that success in rabbanus and avodas process and there were answers is my reward for my efforts back ha’kodesh.” from the Rebbe about it. There then. The Rebbe once told me, “You were difficult days until I finally I have told you this story as should expand yourself in the city, decided to submit my candidacy. one example of the enormous in addition to the expansion to There were nights that I did not difficulties and nonstop pressure I date.” That is hafatzas sleep and days where I nearly had to contend with. Boruch ha’maayanos. In this regard as broke. It was only what the Rebbe Hashem I stood up to them. It well, there were interesting had told me in yechidus years took a lot of work. reactions from the Rebbe. At one before that kept me going; “you

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explain that Chabad is growing, as The Rebbe is alive and he is leading us! we see in our k’hilla in Arad and I’m not talking just about “just as his in other Chabad k’hillos around the world. I am not talking about children are alive, so is he alive,” as the natural growth of mosdos Chabad but the growth which is a some people like to say, but that the result of the influx of new baalei t’shuva. When you think about it, Rebbe himself is running Chabad. it’s really exciting! The significance is that the point, I considered opening families of the Chabad k’hilla or to Rebbe is alive and he is leading us! Chabad mosdos but did not get a families of Russian immigrants. I’m not talking just about “just as response. It was only after R’ Actually, I need to be the father to his children are alive, so is he Yitzchok Raskin, who served as every Jew in the city. Anybody can alive,” as some people like to say, director of Tzach in the city, call me at any time and I try to but that the Rebbe himself is asked the Rebbe about it that he help each one with whatever they running Chabad. got an answer to ask Aguch. After need. Take, for example, the writing much discussion it was decided Along with all that I am also to the Rebbe through the Igros that the Chabad house would open involved with general Chabad Kodesh. Thousands of people are schools while I would supervise issues in my role as member of the answered this way, and it’s a them. However, Aguch said I Beis Din Rabbanei Chabad. It’s tangible example of how the Rebbe should open a kollel and a yeshiva, definitely a tough job. It means I himself is continuing to lead explaining that it is accepted sit on dinei Torah, attend Chabad. It proves more than worldwide for rabbanim to head meetings, and am part of anything that the Rebbe is alive yeshivos and kollelim. Opening formulating general resolutions. I and leading us. mosdos is the gateway to building deal with the construction of We have to say it again and a k’hilla. Chabad mikvaos and work with again and internalize it, because I don’t run the schools and individuals and various institutions without utter hiskashrus to the preschools. That job is done by my that need help in making Rebbe, we cannot be Chassidim. capable son-in-law, R’ Yaakov decisions. We need the Rebbe, we need his Mendelsohn. I run Ohel Levi leadership, and we have to be Yitzchok V’Chana which includes THE REBBE mekasher to him. the yeshiva, kollel and local RUNS CHABAD The main way of being Chabad house. mekushar is to be involved in the It is very hard to wear both There is a lot to do. At Rebbe’s inyanim, and the Rebbe’s hats. Unlike other cities in which a farbrengens I constantly refer to main inyan is the coming of rav works only in rabbanus, I what the Rebbe said to the Moshiach and the Geula. work on both fronts. The mosdos shluchim at the Kinus Hiskashrus to the Rebbe entails and the many baalei t’shuva HaShluchim, 5752, about the final being involved in the main topic demand a lot of my time. I also and only shlichus, to be mekabel which is Moshiach and Geula, and have to arrange funding for p’nei Moshiach. in the merit of fulfilling this activities and I need to be a father I constantly try to convey the shlichus, we will soon be mekabel to very many families - whether message that the Rebbe lives with p’nei Moshiach Tzidkeinu. us and directs things now too. I www.MoshiachForKids.com Check it out!! Educational and Fun!!

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miracle story

young. My father, Shlomo, of blessed memory, was a well- known paint contractor in the AS IF IT WAS region. During those years, the supply of experts in this field was not as great or varied as it is today, and many people in the vicinity knew him and maintained NEVER THERE close friendship with him. The material needs of our home were available in great plenty. My father would work long hours, By Nosson Avrohom literally from sunrise to nightfall. Translated by Michoel Leib Dobry The life of our family was conducted in an atmosphere of calm and tranquility. My father made the difficult and “All this came to a halt one day when my father began to feel courageous decision not to have the strong pains in the lower portion of his back. He was not that old, operation. The doctors were skeptical. and he thought that the pains They tried to convince him to change were due either to a slight cold or cramped muscles, which would his mind, telling him how many people last for a few days and then pass. However, the pains did not in similar situations initially refused to subside, rather they intensified from day to day. I will never have the operation, but they eventually forget those somber and gloomy days, as I saw him writhing in returned to the hospital when they agony, unable to get out of bed. realized that they had no choice. “We’ll After a few days, they understood that this was something serious, be expecting you here in another few and he was taken to the Hillel Yaffe Hospital in Chadera for a weeks,” they informed him. Yet, he series of x-rays and examinations. The entire family was praying for remained steadfast in his decision, and his recovery. “According to the medical only Hashem knows where he found the diagnosis of several expert emotional strength to make it. physicians, he was suffering from pressure on his vertebrae and a seriously slipped disc. The “This is not some fable or despite the many years that had doctors’ words hit him like a clap myth, an exaggerated rumor or passed since the traumatic chain of thunder on a clear day. It was something that I dreamt. This is of events took place – more than apparent that the heavy physical an amazing and exciting miracle a quarter of a century - the life- work over the years had taken its that I experienced myself before saving miracle in the merit of a toll. Every professional they my very eyes,” began Mr. Yoel bracha from the Rebbe, Melech consulted described the condition Halla, supporter of the Chabad HaMoshiach, remains clear and as ‘irreversible’. House in Pardes Chana. His voice intact in his memory. “My father’s overall mood had cracked as he relating his story, * become most dispirited. He was a Jew who usually woke up early finding it difficult to conceal his “This story took place during each morning to toil in his emotions. It was quite clear that the eighties, when I was still quite handiwork, and now he was

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confined to his bed, lying still and immobile. He remained hospitalized over a period of several months, hoping for some improvement in his condition. “The doctors secured my father to the bed with weights in such a fashion that it wouldn’t place any pressure on his vertebrae. It was a pitiful sight to see. Naturally, all of my father’s work came to a complete halt. The family’s economic situation became quite difficult. Young and inexperienced as I was, I tried to help in whatever way I could. “At the end of this period of several months, as my father’s hospital room turned into our second home, the doctors decided that since his condition remained unchanged, as they saw when they compared the x-rays taken throughout this period, the only option left was to operate. Success in operations of this type ran at close to fifty percent at the time. Failure, however, could lead to paralysis. “My father made the difficult and courageous decision not to have the operation. The doctors were skeptical. They tried to convince him to change his mind, telling him how many people in similar situations initially refused to have the operation, but they eventually returned to the hospital when they realized that they had no choice. ‘We’ll be expecting you here in another few weeks,’ they informed him. Yet, he remained steadfast in his decision, and only Hashem knows where he found the emotional strength to make it. He signed his with a complete recovery. release papers, left the hospital, and began his “It was nothing less than an absolute and recuperation at home. incomprehensible miracle. Right after the Rebbe’s “His good friend, Mr. Yossi Parchi, who came to answer, my father’s condition began to improve in a visit him and saw his state of health and how much simply amazing manner. His pains proceeded to suffering he was enduring, asked him if he had decrease, and after just three days, he could already already written to the Lubavitcher Rebbe about his stand and walk upright as if nothing had happened. condition. This went completely against all logic – and “When my father replied in the negative, his certainly defied the doctor’s confident predictions! friend proceeded to express his great praise of the “Words are inadequate to describe the great joy Rebbe, bringing stories of his tremendous spiritual that engulfed all of us. My father couldn’t stop abilities and the many miracles that he heard took thanking, praising, and lauding the Rebbe for place in the merit of the Rebbe’s brachos. My father instilling him with a renewed and revitalized life. became quite excited and asked him to obtain the The story caused shockwaves and was publicized telephone number of the Rebbe’s secretaries in New throughout the city. York. “He returned to the hospital, and the doctors “They called the office, and my father described thought that he had come to ask to have the his life story and what he had gone through over the operation. They were stunned to look at the results previous few months in great detail. The secretary of the new x-rays and see that it was if there had promised him that he would submit his request to never been anything there. It wasn’t that the pain the Lubavitcher Rebbe, and they would get back to had lessened or had become tolerable – it had him as soon as there was an answer. And so it was. disappeared as if it had never been. The doctors Not long afterwards, the secretaries called him back reacted with absolute shock and determined that and informed him that the Rebbe had blessed him

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this was a case of a medical * * * father did just that, and the miracle. Naturally, my father told “In conclusion, I would like to Rebbe gave him a dollar for a them the entire chain of events. tell another amazing incident that bracha. Afterwards, my brother With one bracha, the Rebbe had occurred in our family, this time and his wife passed by the Rebbe, wiped out the root of the involving my brother: who gave them three dollars – problem.” “My father, together with my one for my brother, one for his It is clear that the great brother and his wife, traveled to wife, and a third for the child on miracle experienced by his father New York for the wedding of our the way… They were had deeply penetrated Yoel’s soul. aunt. My father arranged the trip thunderstruck. How did the The events of those days so that he could be at Sunday Rebbe know that she was in the remained engraved in his mind, dollars distribution and thank the early stages of pregnancy, and he has difficulty hiding his Rebbe personally for the miracle. especially when they had yet to feelings over this wondrous When the moment came, my tell anyone about it?...” occurrence.

[Continued from pg. 39] The tour usually ends with t’fillin would encourage him to do so in a for the visitors and parting words loving way. He did it firmly but project got underway. Things were devoted to the Besuras Ha’Geula sensitively and he was very slow at first, with people dropping in and the hastening of the hisgalus. successful. here and there. They wondered R’ Meir always sat at the end of He didn’t just work with t’fillin about the red brick building that was the hall on the first floor, ready to but also inspired many of them, so out of place amidst Israeli welcome people. He offered whether with a pithy saying or by architecture. Sometimes, visitors everybody a cold or hot drink and discussing the person’s empty merely gawked at the façade and had other refreshments. About nine years lifestyle. If you got ‘caught’ by R’ no idea what the building was about. ago, when I wrote an article about Meir it was unlikely that you would These visitors were invited by R’ this project, R’ Meir agreed to give avoid putting on t’fillin and Meir to come inside. The tour me information that shed light on strengthening your mitzva initially began with three rooms on his work. He told me about ongoing observance. the first floor: “the secretaries farbrengens and shiurim and added: The years went by and R’ Meir room,” “the broadcasting room,” “There are many stories about experienced much suffering. He left and “Rabbi Chadakov’s office.” special people that occur here. the running of the kiosk but not his Over the years, R’ Meir and R’ Boruch Hashem, thanks to this place outreach. He set up a shipping Gershom developed a program. many Jews get more involved in container near the kiosk with s’farim With the help of donations they Judaism. R’ Gershom and I keep in and signs about the Rebbe’s transformed the rooms into an touch with them. mivtzaim. He put on t’fillin with impressive and effective “There are different types of people there and learned Torah with programming tool. “The secretaries visitors and we don’t always know every salesman who came to one of room” serves as a reception room, who we are dealing with. We have the stores in the area, and many where the tour begins with a short seen people put on a kippa at the visitors to the Kfar. lecture about the Rebbe. The visitors entrance to the building, say some In recent months he was very watch a video of the Rebbe too. chapters of T’hillim, give tz’daka, sick, and he passed away on the Then they are shown where the write a letter and put it in a volume night of Rosh HaShana. He is Rebbe distributed dollars for tz’daka of Igros Kodesh. I see them opening survived by his wife Sarah and his every Sunday and where the Rebbe’s and reading the letters twice and children: R’ Yaakov Friedman, room is. They are told about the three times and smiling. Then they shliach in Moscow; R’ Chaim Ezra “great light” which emanates from leave without saying a word.” of Kfar Chabad; Mrs. Shayna Brook this room (the original, that is) R’ Meir ran the kiosk called of Rishon L’Tziyon; Mrs. Chaya which lights up the world. The “Gittele” for years. It was a lively Zalmanov of Kfar Chabad; Mrs. imminent revelation of the Rebbe place at all hours of the day. When Pessia Meir of Kfar Chabad, and by Melech HaMoshiach is explained someone walked in who looked like his brother R’ Yisroel. too. he didn’t put on t’fillin, R’ Meir

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obituary R MEIR FRIEDMAN AH

By Shneur Zalman Berger His dedication to the Rebbe’s directives knew no bounds. He oversaw mivtzaim activities across Israel, raised money for the yeshiva, arranged Shabbatons, danced with the IDF orphans, ran a R’ Meir Friedman where a person could keep Shabbos, wide range of activities in the 770 his father worked in a local building in Kfar Chabad, and during cemetery. The Rebbe’s parents, Rabbi Levi the years that he operated Gittele’s Yitzchok and Rebbetzin Chana Schneersohn, visited their home kiosk, he would be busy with mivtza several times when they spent time in a dacha in the Kiev area. Many t’fillin from morning to night. * This years later, when Mrs. Gittel Friedman arrived in New York, she was R’ Meir Friedman of Kfar Chabad, visited Rebbetzin Chana. Before she who passed away this past Rosh went in she was told that she would only be spending a few minutes with HaShana Night. the Rebbetzin, but they ended up reminiscing about those difficult years for an hour and a half. He was opposed to being called Gittel Friedman. His father was the The Friedmans had three “HaRav Meir Friedman” but the son of Rabbi Zusha Friedman, rav of children: R’ Aharon a”h, secretary of name “Reb Meir” came to represent Odessa, and a seventh generation the district council of Emek Lud and a distinct concept in Kfar Chabad. It descendent of the Mezritcher a distinguished askan in Kfar encapsulated the image of a special Maggid. His mother was the Chabad; R’ Meir a”h; and R’ Yisroel, Chassid with an inner fire and daughter of the dayan, Rabbi rosh yeshivas Oholei Torah in Crown Chassidishe chayus, devoted heart Pinchas Boruchstadt, a Boyaner Heights. World War II broke out and soul to the Rebbe MH”M and Chassid, descendent of Rabbi when the three brothers were his directives. He passed away on Pinchas of Koritz and the Ruzhiner children, and their father was Rosh HaShana at the age of 75. Admurim. drafted into the Red Army. He was *** R’ Meir’s parents settled in sent to the front and never returned. R’ Meir Friedman was born in Odessa after they married but The family was able to obtain Kiev, capitol of the Ukraine, in communist persecution forced them proof that R’ Yaakov had been shot 1934, to his parents R’ Yaakov and to move to Kiev. Since it was and killed but they didn’t dare to tell practically impossible to find a job

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their mother the news, so she thought of herself as an aguna for 45 years, until she passed away. R’ Meir and his brothers grew up as orphans and their lives were quite complicated. During the war they fled with their mother and other relatives to Samarkand. At the end of the war they left Russia and arrived at the DP camp in Poking, where they learned in the Chabad Talmud Torah established there. Their connection with Chabad grew and when they made aliya they captio settled in Kfar Chabad. p. 87 SAD MEMORIES sold Mrs. Friedman and her three children were allotted a two storey Arab house that was situated near R’ Meir at a farbrengen in Kfar Chabad. From right to left: R’ Avrohom Maiyor on Left where the post office and kiosk are the extreme right, R’ Yona Eidelkop (partially hidden), R’ Itche Mendel Liss - benc located today. She ran a kiosk in her standing, R’ Dovid Kagan, R’ Yitzchok Meir Greenberg, R’ Meir Friedman, R’ the home, which her son Meir took over Avrohom Lieder, the journalist Shmuel Avidur, R’ Chaim Schreiber. Standing behind, after her passing. from right to left: a Tamim, R’ Eliezer Mogilevsky, R’ Avrohom Lison, R’ Abba Levin Patrons of the kiosk who were not religious put on a kippa that was provided for them in a corner of the R’ Meir, as a Chassid and disciplined room and they said brachos. Mrs. soldier, stood up in the military Friedman asked this of them and they all willingly agreed. Her son command car as it rode through the Meir continued this practice and along with running the business he streets of Teveria and sang, did a lot to strengthen the Judaism and Chassidus of the customers. “U’faratzta.” It was quite a sight, a R’ Meir learned in Tomchei T’mimim in Pardes-Lud and after a bearded man traveling on Shabbos and few years he was appointed madrich singing joyous Chassidic songs. of the agricultural school in Kfar Chabad. He was there during the especially my friend, Simcha massacre of 1956 in which five Zilberstrom who was in critical talmidim and their madrich were condition. This was a problem murdered. because the residents of the Kfar About three years ago, R’ Meir were afraid that the terrorists were spoke about the aftermath of the still lurking and would ambush those tragedy: who tried to help. “Right after the shooting I took A long time passed until we out many children from the area and assembled whatever weapons were in brought them to the home of R’ the Kfar and managed to remove the Shlomo Chaim Feldman, whose wounded. The worst moment for me house was opposite the school. that night was when I schlepped Then, together with R’ Shia Gopin Simcha by myself and I was and others, we made Herculean powerless to help him. After the massacre in Kfar Chabad, efforts to remove the wounded, “I ended up accompanying him looking in shock at the bloodstains

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Kfar Chabad. Clever and wise, he “It was a pleasure to listen to him at was a genuine Chassid who farbrengens,” said an acquaintance. constantly offered up Chassidic aphorisms and inspired his “He was suffused with Chassidishe surroundings with his pleasant way with words. Being in his presence flavor, and he told it like it is. He was always surprising and interesting. Wherever he was he unconditionally demanded the would promote the teachings of Chassidus with a deep and sharp fulfillment of the Rebbe’s horaos, of Chassidic vernacular traditionally himself and others.” reserved for Chassidim of an earlier era. to the hospital, where I spent hours earlier versions of what later became He was a man of truth and with him until he was taken in for known as Shabbatons, in Kfar chesed; modest on the one hand and surgery. Simcha did not survive the Chabad, and he worked at yeshivas strong on the other hand; and he operation. Tomchei T’mimim in a number of measured out both appropriately. “I went through many difficult jobs, even flying abroad to raise Many people enjoyed hearing things since then, fighting in the Six money. him sing the “Poltaver Niggun” in Day War and the Yom Kippur War, At a certain point he served as his unique way. “It was a pleasure to but the terrible sights of the Mashgiach, alongside Rabbi Yaakov listen to him at farbrengens,” said an slaughter in Kfar Chabad are Katz, the Rosh Yeshiva in Kfar acquaintance. “He was suffused with engraved in my mind forever. Chabad, as well as a night madrich Chassidishe flavor, and he told it like Sometimes, when I am reminded of in the yeshiva. it is. He unconditionally demanded the bloodbath, I shudder.” He established a branch of the fulfillment of the Rebbe’s horaos, After the massacre the Rebbe Tzeirei Chabad in Kfar Chabad long of himself and others.” sent a group of shluchim to Eretz before the concept of a “Chabad Some people remember him, Yisroel. These shluchim worked hard house” spread across the country. At every year on the night of 11 Nissan to promote the idea of traveling to that time he oversaw mivtzaim after Maariv, bursting into song, the Rebbe. They told about how nationwide and worked tirelessly to “Yifrach b’yamav tzaddik.” He those in the Rebbe’s presence feel, implement the Rebbe’s directives would sing and dance with great joy. about the giluyim, the light, and regarding mivtzaim, which were He was also blessed with a big urged everyone to go to the Rebbe taking off at that time. heart and warm feelings towards and not to be satisfied with the During the Yom Kippur war he every Jew. He was ready to help information they got from Beis was sent to the front in military anybody with anything, even when Chayeinu in dribs and drabs. campaigns. There too, during his he wasn’t asked. He was simply R’ Meir took their advice and army service, he brought cheer to his gifted with a nose for ferreting out a borrowed a lot of money in order to fellow soldiers and was a Chassid of Chassid in need. He would show up be able to go to the Rebbe for the Rebbe. As they recounted later, quietly, without fanfare, and with a Tishrei 5717/1956. when his troop was ordered to move smile. northward from Yerushalayim, it was One of the people who davens in Shabbos. R’ Meir, as a Chassid and 770 in Kfar Chabad said, “I ONE OF THE remember how R’ Meir would sit on LEADING ASKANIM disciplined soldier, stood up with a bottle of wine in the military Shabbos in the room opposite the R’ Meir married Sarah Bronstein, command car as it rode through the entrance to 770 and offer a cup of daughter of R’ Zalman, a resident of streets of Teveria and sang, coffee to every guest who hadn’t had Kfar Chabad. Their home was “U’faratzta.” It was quite a sight, a a drink or anything to eat before the always open to guests, Lubavitch bearded man traveling on Shabbos davening.” and not-Lubavitch. and singing joyous Chassidic songs. His hiskashrus to the Rebbe was In the following years R’ Meir boundless. His ego did not stand in became active in various projects. the way when he had to carry out He was one of the main organizers CHASSID AND SOLDIER one of the Rebbe’s activities. He was of the Shabbasos Iruach, which were R’ Meir Friedman was one of the a man of action and a disciplined unique elder Chassidim renown in and loyal soldier who asked no

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questions and made no conditions. He would carry out the Rebbe’s horaos wholeheartedly. He gave everything he had to the Rebbe, whether it was at the kiosk that he ran, providing the youth of Kfar Chabad with some much needed chizuk and a listening ear, or offering assistance to people from the outside who came to the Kfar. When he met someone in the Kfar who he thought had not put on t’fillin that day, from his suppliers to patrons who had a job-related connection with someone in the Kfar, he would take him to a room he had on the side of the kiosk and put t’fillin on with him. Rejoicing at the bar mitzva celebration of war orphans A friend related, “A few months ago, at the beginning of the summer, I saw him on a blistering hot day rushing through the Kfar ‘dragging’ a truck driver, who had delivered merchandise for one of the stores, after him. He entreated him, ‘Come put on t’fillin.’ The man refused but R’ Meir pleaded with him, ‘Do me a favor; come for a minute.’ It was impossible to withstand a request like that and he put t’fillin on with him. Two minutes later the driver was gone but R’ Meir was left with a victorious smile on his face.” Someone else told about an individual from Ramle who worked in the Rivkins’ vegetable store in Activities in the shipping container Kfar Chabad. “I arrived at the entrance to Kfar Chabad one many opportunities for reaching out. visitors to the 770 building in Kfar morning. That worker was waiting Chabad. This began in 5755, when there for a ride to the vegetable REACHING OUT IN 770 R’ Shlomo Maidanchek, director of store. I stopped and said I was Agudas Chassidei Chabad in Eretz Decades ago, R’ Meir ran the passing right by the store and could Yisroel, asked him to organize the branch of Tzeirei Chabad in Kfar bring him to work. visits to the new 770 building. This Chabad and oversaw mivtzaim that “When we got to the center of was an attraction that drew many were done around the country, the Kfar, he asked me to stop. ‘I outsiders. participating himself wherever there have to go to Meir Friedman as I do “People and groups come on was a need, whether with mivtza every morning,’ he said. He told me visits to Kfar Chabad. Why shouldn’t t’fillin in distant places or dancing that every morning he put t’fillin on they walk into 770 and visit there with war orphans at the bar mitzvas. with R’ Meir and only then did he too, and hear about the holiness of He did all this devotedly without continue on to work.” the place?” reasoned R’ Shlomo. agendas or narrow minded These are just a sampling of the R’ Meir took on the job. He considerations. many stories like this about R’ Meir enlisted R’ Gershom Ochana and the For a number of years he was in Friedman, who knew that even in charge of activities geared for [Continued on pg. 35] the center of Kfar Chabad there are

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thought

corrupt than that of all the nations and the place where the Jews settled was the most corrupt of all.” How WHAT does Avrohom’s enthusiasm for these people fit with the fact that their behavior was the worst of anybody else? IMPRESSED WORK ETHIC Avrohom did not scorn the people of Aram because they ate and drank but because they caroused; they sat idly and did AVROHOM? nothing productive. Work doesn’t only save us from boredom. It’s a goal unto itself, to build up and rectify the world. Hashem created By Rabbi Yosef Karasik the world so that man would work District Rav Bat Chefer – Emek Chefer in it and improve upon it as Chazal say on the verse, “that Elokim A fascinating look at the parsha from created to do” – to do means to fix. Hashem commanded humankind to the perspective of Chazal, Kabbala and build up the world. So to Avrohom, Eretz Yisroel Chabad Chassidus. was ideal because a livelihood depended on honest work which led to a decent morality while in WEEDING AND HOEING? Avrohom. In fact, Avrohom himself, wealthy Aram Naharayim which was THAT’S FOR ME! immediately after moving to Eretz blessed with everything good Yisroel and walking its length and Chazal say an amazing thing. without having to work for it, they breadth, planted an orchard in Beer How was Eretz Yisroel chosen to be sat around idly. When Avrohom saw Sheva. the home of the Jewish people the people of Canaan and their This Midrash is puzzling. What where the Beis HaMikdash is built work, he saw that the reason that so impressed Avrohom that made and where the Sh’china rests they toiled – which was not what him exclaim, if only my portion is in forever? It all began with the first other nations did – came from an this land? Was Avrohom so Jew, Avrohom Avinu, who was inner urge which was within the enthused by the simple work of favorably impressed by the nations earth itself. This power which was farmers? And what stood out to who lived in the land and this is why in the earth urged its inhabitants to make this land to be the chosen he chose it for his descendents, as create and build and not to sit about home of the Jewish people for the Midrash relates[1]: unoccupied. generations and the location of the “When Avrohom was in Aram This is the simple reason why Beis HaMikdash? That the people Naharayim and Aram Nachor, he Avrohom chose Eretz Yisroel for his who lived there were hard working saw the inhabitants eating, drinking children, so they would absorb a folk and not parasites or and carousing. He said, may my work ethic from the air of the land lazybones?! portion not be in this land. When he and so they would learn the Furthermore, if Avrohom was so arrived in Sulama of Tzur and saw importance of work from the impressed by the character of the them engaged with weeding and nations that lived there. people of the land, why did he make hoeing, he said, may my portion be Avrohom’s enthusiasm wasn’t his servant Eliezer swear not to in this land. Said Hashem, to your because of the personalities of the marry off his son Yitzchok to a girl children I will give this land.” people who lived there for they were from Canaan? In other words, the idea of corrupt. He was impressed by their The Midrash says[2], “The developing the world through motivation to work and this is what deeds of the Canaanites were more cultivating the land attracted he wanted to bequeath to his

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descendents. A life of toil and creativity is what characterizes the land and its inhabitants as opposed to other lands whose inhabitants waste time on entertainment and pleasure seeking. Consequently, a real “entering the land” means to be aware of this land’s character and to acquire it as Chazal say[3], “Every man was created for toil as it says, for man was born to toil.”

A PERSON WANTS WHAT HE WORKED FOR What’s good about work is not merely that a person must be occupied and not waste his time on nonsense, but there is a more positive aspect of this as well. Hashem created man with an inclination towards building and creating as Chazal say[4] “A person In spiritual matters too a person is far wants a small measure of his own more than nine measures of his happier over one inyan in Torah that he fellow.” A normal person with a healthy outlook prefers one loaf of worked on and understood by himself bread that was baked from wheat that he himself toiled over, that he than nine inyanim that someone taught plowed, planted, harvested, ground him. He relates to the inyan he figured and baked, over nine loaves that he bought, that he did not work for. out for himself and remembers it far In spiritual matters too a person is far happier over one inyan in better than the nine other things. Torah that he worked on and understood by himself than nine of created things. When Chazal tell the Torah knowledge that it is inyanim that someone taught him. us that a person wants his own taught before it is born. But He He relates to the inyan he figured small measure etc. they are telling didn’t do so because this is His out for himself and remembers it far us that Hashem implanted this G- greatest gift to us, the desire to be better than the nine other things. dly trait within us, to be givers and like Him, to be a partner with Most people don’t take full builders. Hashem in Creation! pleasure in something they get for This is why Hashem did not This teaches us something about free. On the contrary, they’re create the world completely influencing others and chinuch. We embarrassed by a handout and are finished. He left room for man to should not be giving everything to happy to obtain something that they work and build a house, plant trees, the student but getting them to worked for and earned. Why is this plow and plant. work and develop on their own, so? Why did Hashem create people Hashem could have made nature inducing the inborn trait of with this feeling of being happier so that it produced everything independence and initiative. with something they worked for humanity needed. He could have Youthful rebellion, the desire that rather than something they are made all the discoveries that a maturing young person has to be given? scientists work so diligently to find independent, to decide things for For creating, building, and giving be open information. Hashem could himself and what his course in life are actually G-dly traits, while have had a baby born retaining all will be, is not a negative trait. It’s a receiving without working is a trait

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tremendous gift that Hashem things whether actual physical by delving into Torah and adding implanted in youth to want to structures and making discoveries in and innovating in it. This is why the initiate and create and not rely only nature, or in Torah study? pleasure from the toil in Torah is so on what others did for him, i.e. his Every material creation is not great, far greater than physical parents and teachers who provide really a new entity for everything innovation. him with everything. It’s a G-dly was already created during the Six a trait that Hashem endowed His Days of Creation and man’s job is “DO ALL THAT YOU creations with in His great kindness, to reveal that which is hidden in CAN” – TO WORK TO e especially to the Jewish people, and nature, to reveal rather than to it is apparent from an early age. innovate, and to a certain extent BRING THE GEULA r This is the positive take on youthful even animals build new things in The principle of man doing the rebellion which obviously must be nature. work himself is most significant in e channeled properly in order to be It is in the spiritual realm the primary mission we have “all the fruitful. though, in the holy Torah, where days of your life to bring to Yemos a man’s accomplishment really stands HaMoshiach,” for which the world m PHYSICAL LABOR AND out, especially the true innovations was created. The true and complete Geula comes about through the SPIRITUAL LABOR of a Jew: o As Chassidus explains on the work a Jew does in rectifying the Although man is happy with words, “behold, a ladder was world and not as a gift from G-d. y everything he creates, when he standing on the ground and its top This seems explicit in the famous creates something new, when he reached the heavens,” that through sicha of the Rebbe in which he says: invents something – the excitement avodas Hashem a Jew is elevated “Do all that you can to actually is much greater and the joy far above the world and he brings new bring Moshiach Tzidkeinu. May deeper. This too is because man’s kochos to the world that Hashem there finally be found ten Jews who creating is similar to Hashem’s and did not place there during the Six will insist that they must get so when man comes up with Days of Creation. Hashem to actually bring the true something new he achieves a higher This is also accomplished by and complete Geula level of partnership with the t’filla through which we can undo immediately.”[5] Creator. This is the reason why he bad decrees like the tzaddik whose The greatest chiddush that there feels greater pleasure in his brachos and prayers bring about will be in the world – the ripping accomplishment. salvation to someone whose away of the curtain of galus and the How does a person achieve a situation is hopeless in the normal coming of Moshiach - can be new creation? way of things, like a patient that accomplished through the There are two types of toil: 1) doctors have given up on. A tzaddik independent efforts of every Jew. physical toil that serves the body, 2) is a true innovator in that he brings May we merit it now! spiritual toil that serves the neshama supernatural, new powers to the Sources: Likkutei Sichos vol. 15, p. 93, Igros like the toil of Torah, the toil of world through which he can bring Kodesh vol. 22 p. 377 t’filla, the toil of mitzvos. about the healing of a person who What does a person have greater was deemed incurable. NOTES: pleasure and satisfaction from? In Torah study a Jew can achieve [1] B’Reishis Raba, parsha 39, s’if 8 Where can a person be a greater true innovation, being a partner on innovator – in constructing material a level that is most like the Creator [2] Toras Kohanim, Acharei, 18, 3 [3] Meseches Sanhedrin daf 99b on the verse in Iyov, perek 5, pasuk 7 [4] Meseches Bava Metzia, daf 38a [5] An interesting note: The Rebbe Rayatz once indicated that his choice of America was for the same reason that is brought regarding Avrohom Avinu – because of the hard work and toil of the gentiles that reside here (Seifer HaSichos 5609, p. 130).

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