B’H Shabbos Parshas Tzav – Shabbos HaGadol 11 NISAN, 5764

THE CHABAD WEEKLYVol 7, # 25 Chabad of North Beverly Hills, 409 Foothill Rd. Beverly Hills, 90210 Yosef Shusterman 310-271-9063 In commanding to transmit the 's

613 mitzvot to the Jewish people, we find that G- beverlyhillschabad.org

d used three different expressions: "say" Vaulting, Bounding and Leaping (""), "speak" ("daber"), and "command" The name of the holiday Pesach, or , derives from the Hebrew words meaning "and G- ("tzav"). This week's Torah portion is called d will leap over." explains further: "The festival is called Pesach because of [G-d's] Tzav, as it opens with the words "Command leaping.... Therefore perform all its aspects in a manner of bounding and leaping." What is the and his sons." Rashi, the foremost Torah particular relationship between the holiday that celebrates the Exodus, and bounding and commentator, explains the word "tzav" as leaping? implying "urging on, for the immediate moment The Jewish people lived in Egypt for many generations, eventually descending to a state of and for future generations." slavery. Some became so mired in slavery that when the time came for their liberation they did Of the three expressions - "say," "speak" and not want to leave Egypt! "command" - the last ("tzav") is most closely During the period that the were in Egypt, the country was considered to be the most associated with the basic concept of mitzvot culturally advanced of its time in terms of knowledge, art, technology and philosophy - the (literally "commandments"), as both are derived things people commonly refer to when they speak of "culture" and "civilization." But in terms of from the verb meaning "to command." Moreover, morality and ethics, Egypt was the most depraved, degenerate and immoral of lands, so much so as will be explained, it is with regard to these that it was known as the "abomination of the earth." particular mitzvot that "urging" and It was from a land such that the Jewish people had to attain complete physical and spiritual encouragement are most necessary. freedom, so that soon afterward they would be able to lift themselves to the heights necessary for According to Chasidic philosophy, the word receiving G-d's Torah. For the main purpose of the Exodus was the receipt of Torah, as G-d told Moshe: "When you will take the nation out of Egypt, they shall serve G-d upon this mountain [of "mitzva" is related to "tzavta," meaning joining or Sinai]." Indeed, Rashi notes that it was in merit of their eventual service to G-d at Sinai that the uniting. The mitzva forges an eternal connection Jewish people were redeemed from exile. between G-d, the Commander, and the Jew, Receiving the Torah from G-d involved the acceptance of all its decrees, beginning with the Ten who is commanded to fulfill the Creator's will. Commandments, the first of which was: "I am the L-rd your G-d, you shall have no other gods," Connecting to G-d is only possible through and the last of which was: "You shall not covet... anything that belongs to your fellow man." mitzvot; a created being is simply not capable of These themes of G-d's absolute unity and the highest degree of ethics and morality in terms of creating a connection with the Infinite on his man's relationship with his fellows stood in stark contrast to the depravity of Egyptian "culture" own. In fact, the only relative "value" man has and "civilization." comes from the fact that G-d has chosen and Clearly, departing from such an abject state and achieving true inner freedom to the extent of commanded him to fulfill His mitzvot. In other accepting Torah and mitzvos before fully comprehending them required the mighty leap of words, in giving us the commandments, G-d has "Pesach - in a manner of bounding and leaping." provided us with the only means of true All this began while the Jews were still in Egypt, when G-d told them about the Passover "access." service, including the instruction that the entire service be done "in a manner of bounding and This connection is most strongly emphasized in leaping." the mitzvot conveyed through the expression of This vaulting manner of service culminated on the first night of Pesach, when G-d Himself leapt "tzav," as when a person obeys them it is over the bonds and fetters of exile, revealed Himself to the Jewish people while they were still in obvious that he is fulfilling a command or Egypt, released them from their captivity and established that from then on their inner state would be one of spiritual freedom. obligation. By contrast, the commandments This Passover theme of vaulting and leaping is fundamental to Jews and at all times transmitted through "say" or "speak" do not and in all places, and is to be carried through the rest of the year. stress the aspect of compulsion as strongly. We find ourselves exiled in a physical world, with a preponderance of our time required for Moreover, the G-dly commandment itself ("tzav") physical acts such as eating, drinking, sleeping, earning a living, etc. The time remaining for creates the connection ("tzavta"), as if the spiritual affairs such as Torah study, prayer and the performance of mitzvos is thus severely person has already fulfilled it! restricted. Of course, a Jew always has free will whether Nevertheless, Pesach tells us that as Jews we are expected and empowered to "leap over" all or not he will comply with a command. physical and corporeal limitations to attain true spiritual freedom the whole year through. Based Nonetheless, because the mitzvot transmitted on Likkutei Sichos Vol. XII, pp. 160-164.– sichosinenglish.org through "tzav" penetrate all the way to the innermost levels of the soul (as opposed to the Pushcart mitzvot conveyed through "say" and "speak," which affect only the outermost aspects of the Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov was teaching his disciples when they were disturbed by a soul), if, for whatever reason a Jew doesn't knock on the shutter. A peasant, hauling a cart of tools, peered through the window. “Need comply (G-d forbid), it contradicts the connection any fixing?” he cried. “Any shaky tables, broken chairs? A loose brick in the hearth, he already has with the Commander. perhaps?” The "tzav" commandments thus require more “No, no,” came the impatient reply from within, where all were eager to get on with the "urging" and encouragement. For once the interrupted lesson. “Everything is in perfect condition. There’s no need for any repairs.”' essence of the soul is uncovered, the Jew will “Indeed? Nothing to repair?” called the peasant. “That simply cannot be. Look well, and discover how in reality, his very being is you're sure to find something that needs fixing!” fundamentally connected to G-d, and his own Rabbi Israel then addressed his students: “Many times have I taught you that nothing is inner desire is only to fulfill G-d's will. (Adapted by chance in G-d’s world; that every event and experience is purposeful, that everything from Volume 7 of Likutei Sichot) – one sees or hears is a lesson for one's service of the Almighty. Think of the words we just lchaimweekly.org heard from this simple peasant. How profoundly relevant they are to each and every one of us! Is everything really in perfect condition? At times it might seem so; but if one truly searches his heart and evaluates his life, is he not sure to find something that requires

repair...?” – meaningfullife.org

Rabbi Yosef Shusterman Chabad of Northern Beverly Hills

From the time of the exodus from Egypt the Jewish people are called the "Army of G-d." They are also called "servants." The difference is this: A servant performs his master's service which may be on many different levels; he may work at the delicate craft of threading pearls, he may do other kinds of expert work or he may perform simple tasks. His service involves great toil and labor, but this does not constitute mesirat nefesh - a willingness to sacrifice self, to lay down one's life. Soldiers are servants who serve with great toil and labor and with self sacrifice, in wars of defense or attack. The soldiers stand at their posts with the highest degree of stalwart determination, undeterred by the opposing enemy; their service is not one of comprehension, for they act according to the orders of their commander. The Jews in Egypt were utterly degraded under their severe and bitter affliction. Yet, despite it all, they did not change their names, their language, or their distinctive clothing. With absolute determination, they stood at their posts, for they knew that G-d had promised to redeem them. Whoever behaves as they did under such circumstances is a soldier in the Army of G-d, and the Al-mighty will come to his assistance in a manner that manifests itself in nature - yet transcends nature. (From Rebbe's Hayom yom Nisan 12 ).

Say little and do much — Ethics of the Fathers 1:15.

PESACH SCHEDULE SHABBOS PARSHAS TZAV SHABBOS HAGADOL MONDAY NISSAN 14 - APRIL 5 April 2 , 2004

Candlelighting:(Los Angeles) 5:56 PM • Candlelighting 6:59 PM Friday Mincha: 6:10 PM • Mincha 7:15 PM

• Maariv 7:40 PM LATEST TIME FOR SHEMA:8:48 AM

TUESDAY NISSAN 15 - APRIL 6 MORNING

• Shacharis 9:30 AM · Tanya 8:45 AM • Mincha 7:05 PM Followed by Hagada Explanations · Shacharit 9:30 AM followed by Kiddush, Cholent & • Maariv 7:40 PM Farbrengen Sefiras Haomer

5:05 PM Candlelighting 8:00 PM · Hagada

WEDNEDAY NISSAN 16, APRIL 7 - Second day of · Mincha 6:50 PM followed by Pesach Seuda Shlishit

• Shacharis 9:30 AM · Shabbat ends 6:56 PM

• Mincha 7:10 PM Kiddush this week is being sponsored by the Broukhim family in honor of ’s Bar

• Maariv 7:50 PM Yartzheits : Miriam Shaulian – Nissan 14.

Happy Birthday to Shmuel Einstein, Brooks Arthur, Dan F There will be no classes next week Harkham, Jerry Tannenbaum, Elisheva Meisel, Meir

ReuvenYekutiel Graff, Shelly Tannenbaum & Fruma Gishe Monday, Nisan 14 (April 5) is the Fast of the First Born. Chodorow. There will be a Siyum at both Minyonim.

Mazel Tov to the Broukhim Family on Joshua’s Bar Mitzvah.

Don’t forget to move back your clocks one hour ahead this Saturday night. Happy Anniversary to Dan and Donna Harkham

DAILY MINYONIM: Good Shabbos and Shacharit: Mon-Fri 6:00 AM and 7:30 AM Sunday 9:00 AM Best Wishes or a Kosher & Freilechen Mincha/Maariv: 7:15 PM Pesach! 2