Purim Magazine 13-14 ADAR, 5781 FEBRUARY 25-26 2021

 The Story of Purim p. 4

Will I Ever Be Appreciated? p. 10 Unmasking p. 12 T H E R E B B E ’ S M E S S A G E VICTORY OVER INDIFFERENCE

he total triumph of the Jewish people over the evil Haman their fiery faith in G-d and Moses. In fact, the very name Amalek is celebrated on Purim. The holiday transforms the entire has the same numerical value as the Hebrew word “safek,” meaning month into one of joy and happiness. What, one can ask, doubt. Amalek’s goal was not to win a military victory, but to pierce is so unique about Purim that, unlike other festivals, it has the faith of the Jewish people by introducing “doubts.” theT power to change a whole month? When the Jewish people were victorious over Haman the Haman was a descendant of the nation of Amalek, infamous Amalekite, it was a victory over all that he stood for – coldness, for their audacity in attacking the Jewish people soon after their doubt, skepticism, and the like. Thus, the entire month of Adar miraculous exodus from Egypt. With the exception of Amalek, the is permeated with the joy and happiness of the Purim holiday, nations of the world trembled at the thought of battling the Jewish nation. because the stakes were so high. For it is our faith and trust in G-d, as well as our enthusiasm and warmth for Torah and Mitzvot, that The Torah explains that Amalek “met” the Jewish nation during define us, the Jewish people. its journey. Our commentators explain that the Hebrew word for “met” – “karcha” can also mean “made you cold.” After all the miracles and Devine revelations that the Jewish people had Adapted from the teachings of the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. witnessed, Amalek wanted to “cool off” the Jewish people from Schneerson, O.B.M.

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2 The Story of Purim Celebration! PURIM 5781 / 2021 4 8 The Fast of Esther 16 Chanukah at Chabad - Photos

Gifts to the Needy 7

The Four Mitzvot of Purim Salted Caramel 6 Hamantaschen 8

Purim Event 10 9 Will I Ever Be Appreciated?

Celebration! Vol 20, Issue 3 | presented to you by Chabad Jewish Center Dedicated to the Rebbe, Rabbi Sholom Ber Tenenbaum, Director • Mrs. Feigel Tenenbaum, Program Director Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, OBM, If you have any questions, thoughts or comments concerning this publication, please contact us: whose boundless love and teachings are an Phone: 847-782-1800 • [email protected] • www.chabadofgurnee.com endless source of inspiration and guidance. 17684 W. Gages Lake Road, Grayslake, IL 60030 VECTORS BY VECTEEZY: WWW.VECTEEZY.COM VECTEEZY: VECTORS BY

3 The Story of The Story in a Nutshell The Persian empire of the 4th century BCE extended over 127 lands, and all the Jews were Purim its subjects. When King Ahasuerus had his wife, Queen Vashti, executed for failing to fol- low his orders, he orchestrated a beauty pag- Once upon a time… eant to find a new queen. A Jewish girl, Esther, A FATEFUL PARTY found favor in his eyes and became the new It all began in the city of Shushan of Ancient Persia in the 4th century BCE. The reigning King Achashverosh queen—though she refused to divulge the hosted a series of lavish royal feasts in his palace identity of her nationality. that went on for 180 days – one half of a year! Every Meanwhile, the anti-Semitic Haman citizen living in Shushan was invited. The Jews, too, participated in the great party. was appointed prime minister of the Intoxicated with the excitement of the festivities empire. Mordechai, the leader of the Jews and days of endless drinking, King Achashverosh commanded his queen, Vashti, to appear before his (and Esther’s cousin), defied the king’s orders guests wearing only her crown. Vashti refused. Enraged and refused to bow to Haman. Haman was at her insolence, the king consulted with his ministers and had Vashti executed. incensed and had the king issue a decree THE BEAUTY CONTEST ordering the extermination of all the Jews on The king now needed a new queen. Achashverosh the 13th of Adar—a date chosen by a lottery had all the beautiful daughters of the country brought Haman made. to the palace so that he might choose a wife. The king chose Esther (Hadassah), the cousin of Mordechai, who Mordechai galvanized all the Jews, con- was one of the leaders of the Jewish people. Heeding vincing them to repent, fast and pray to G-d. Mordechai’s advice, Esther did not reveal her identity as a Jew, and observed Jewish law secretly in the palace. Meanwhile, Esther asked the king and Haman MORDECHAI TO THE RESCUE to join her for a feast. At the feast, Esther Mordechai would spend time at the palace gates every revealed to the king her Jewish identity. day, waiting for word from Esther. One day Mordechai overheard two of the king’s chamberlains discussing a Haman was sent to the gallows, Mordechai plot to assassinate the king. He told Esther of the plot was appointed prime minister in his stead, and and she informed the king. The plot was foiled, and a new decree was issued—granting the Jews Mordechai was credited with saving the king. the right to defend themselves against their THE ANTI-SEMITIC PRIME MINISTER Meanwhile, Haman, a descendant of Amalek – the enemies. implacable enemy of the Jewish people – became On the 13th of Adar the Jews mobi- Prime Minister of the king’s court. The king had issued an order commanding everyone in the palace to bow lized and fought their enemies. down in deference to Haman, but Mordechai refused, On the 14th of Adar they rest- because Haman wore an idol around his neck. This so enraged Haman that he devised a scheme to annihilate ed and celebrated. all the Jews in the kingdom on the 13th day of the Hebrew month of Adar.

4 Check out our weekly online magazine at www.chabadofgurnee.com MORDECHAI’S REQUEST asked Haman, “What shall be done to a person whom Hearing of the evil plan, Mordechai donned sackcloth the king wishes to honor?” and ashes and told Esther that she must go to the king Haman, who was certain that the king wished to and intercede on behalf of her people. To appear before honor him, responded: “Bring royal garment and a royal the king without being summoned meant risking her life. horse. And let one of the king’s nobles dress the man Esther requested that all the Jews undertake a three- and lead him on the horse through the city streets, day fast of prayer and repentance. proclaiming before him, ‘So is done for the man whom Mordechai complied with Esther’s request. He the king wishes to honor!’” gathered the Jews of Shushan – especially the children, “Great idea,” Achashverosh responded. “Now go get 22,000 of them – and they fasted, repented and prayed the garments and the horse and do so for Mordechai to G-d. the Jew!” Haman had no choice but to comply. On the next

THE FIRST FEAST day he went and honored Mordechai as the king had At the end of these three days, Esther stood uninvited ordered, and then immediately rushed to join the king before Achashverosh. Upon seeing her, the king and Esther for... immediately extended his scepter. “What is it?” Achashverosh asked. “What is your request?” “I would THE SECOND FEAST like to invite the king and Haman to a private party,” “What is your request?” a curious King Achashverosh Esther responded. asked Esther at the feast. “If I have found favor in your eyes, O King,” Esther replied. “Spare my life and the During the feast, the king again asked Esther whether lives of my people.” Surprised, Achashverosh asked she had any request. “Yes,” Esther responded. “I would Esther who had threatened her. She replied that it appreciate if tomorrow, again, the king and Haman was none other than the wicked Haman. Haman was would join me for a feast.” immediately hanged on the gallows he had intended Haman left the party a happy and proud man. Oh, for Mordechai. the honor he was being accorded! But standing at the king’s gate was Mordechai – who still refused to bow THE TABLES ARE TURNED to Haman – and Haman was enraged. When he arrived Although Haman was dead, his cruel decree remained home, his wife and wise advisors counseled him to unchanged. According to Persian law, once a king erect a gallows, and then to go to the king and request issues a decree it cannot be rescinded. A new decree permission to hang Mordechai. Haman excitedly went was issued, granting the Jews permission to defend ahead and put up the gallows. themselves against their enemies and to attack and slay all those who would assault them. The Jews THE BEGINNING OF THE END experienced a stunning victory in battle. Sleep eluded the king that night, so he asked his servants to read for him from the Royal Chronicles. IN COMMEMORATION When they reached the episode where Mordechai At that time, the 14th day of Adar was consecrated as saved his life, he realized that Mordechai had never the festival of Purim, to celebrate and commemorate the been rewarded. Just at that moment, Haman appeared great miracle of our people’s salvation and the downfall in the courtyard, planning to suggest to the king to hang of the wicked Haman. Mordechai. This holiday, called “Purim,” is the most joyous holiday When he entered Achashverosh’s chambers, the king on the Jewish calendar. 5 MEGILLAH FEBRUARY 25 & 26 We read the megillah, not just once but twice- on the eve of Purim and again in the morning. The Megillah documents the entire story of Purim and we pay rapt attention to every word. We blot out every mention of Haman’s accursed name by twirling our graggers and stamping our feet. Hear the Megillah at Chabad. See page 2.

MISHLOACH The Four MANOT Gifts of Food FEBRUARY 26 mitzvot This Mitzvah is performed on Purim day. The important thing is to pack up at least two types of edibles or drinks of that are ready to eat or drink (e.g. pastry, fruit, beverage) and have them delivered, ideally by a messenger, to at least one friend – men to men, women to women, kids to kids. The ideal messenger? A child of course – they love it! purim

6 MISHTE

FestiveFEBRUARY 26 Meal Usually, the Purim feast may be eaten anytime during the day. However, this year because Purim falls on a Friday, out of deference to the approaching Shabbat, we start the meal earlier, ideally before midday. It is traditional to include “kreplach” (stuffed dumplings) as part of the menu.

The Four MATANOT L’EVYONIM Gifts to the Needy mitzvot FEBRUARY 26 Dont know any poor Jews? How will my gift get to the poor on Purim day? Not to worry. There are plenty of of wonderful charitable organizations that will gladly distribute your tzedakah dollars on Purim. You can even put your matanot l’evyonim money in a chaity box. This Mitzvah goes for ALL of us, even little children... especially little purim children. SALTED CARAMEL

HamantaschenAdd the baking powder,Recipe pepper and flour and mix until the dough comes together. I like to use my hands for this because it kneads Ingredients the dough well. Divide the dough in half. DOUGH Take another two pieces of parchment and sprinkle flour on one, 3 large eggs • 1 cup sugar • ½ cup canola or vegetable oil place one dough half on top, and then sprinkle a little more flour 1 teaspoon orange juice • 3 ½ teaspoons baking powder on top of the dough. Place the second piece of parchment on top ½ teaspoon black pepper • 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for of the dough and roll on top of the parchment until the dough is dusting parchment and dough about ¼-inch thick. Every few rolls, peel back the top parchment CARAMEL FILLING and sprinkle a little more flour on the dough. 1 cup sugar • 2 tablespoons water • ½ cup whipping cream Use a glass or round cookie cutter about 2 to 3 inches in diameter 2 tablespoons unsalted butter • ½ teaspoon salt to cut the dough into circles. Place a little less than a teaspoon of the filling in the center and then fold in 3 sides to form a triangle, leaving a small opening in the center. Pinch the 3 sides very DirectionsTo make the caramel, place the sugar tightly. Place on the prepared cookie sheets. and water in a small, heavy-bottomed Repeat with the rest of the dough and re-roll saucepan. Cook on medium-high heat and cut any dough scraps you have. Place until sugar melts. After several minutes, the the cookies sheets in the freezer for ten sugar will start to color. Stir the mixture so minutes; this helps the hamentaschen hold all the sugar browns. When it is a uniform their shape and not open up while baking. amber color, turn heat to low, remove Bake for 12 to 16 minutes, or until the bottoms saucepan from heat and add the cream. The are lightly browned. Slide the parchment onto mixture will bubble up. Add the butter and salt racks to cool the cookies. If desired, drizzle any and stir. Return to the heat and cook for one minute, remaining caramel over the cookies. Store covered or until mixture is smooth. Remove from heat, transfer to with plastic or in an airtight container at room temperature for a bowl and let cool. Chill in the fridge for at least a half hour to five days or freeze for up to three months. thicken the caramel. Store in the fridge for up to five days. Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Line 2 large cookie sheets with Yields: 4 dozen hamantaschen parchment. You will bake in batches. In a large bowl, mix together the eggs, sugar, oil, and orange juice. Copyright and reprinted with permission of Chabad.org TA’ANIT ESTHER

FEBRUARYThe Fast 25 of Esther The fast of Ester is a dawn-to-nightfall fast held on the day before the holiday of purim. The fasting on this day commemorates the three-day fast of the entire Jewish nation in the times of Purim. They fasted upon request of Queen Esther, who asked that all Jews refrain from food or drink in her merit before she put her life on the line for the sake of her people. In the Gurnee area the fast begins at 5:05am and ends at 6:06pm.

8 Purim AT Chabad February 25, 2021

Join us for our annual Purim celebration! FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR SOCIALLY DISTANCED PURIM EVENT chabadofgurnee.com/purim2021 847-782-1800 her and welcome her into his chamber. Now Esther would be WILL I EVER BE compromised. Until this point she had maintained her spiritual virtue, cling- ing to the reality that she was a victim, not a willing participant in this so-called “marriage.” This time, though, she would be initiating her interaction with Ahasuerus, approaching willingly, thus forfeiting her innocence, and along with that, possibly, Appreciated?By Baruch Epstein G‑d’s approval and appreciation. Despite the danger, she went, and the rest is history. Ahasuerus he desire for appreciation seems to be one of our allowed her in and acquiesced to her plea, and ultimately the strongest human impulses. We instinctively crave genocide of our entire people was prevented. being noticed and valued. School teachers are over- Perhaps this was the genuine heroism: Esther’s readiness whelmed with joy when former students call to say, to rescue her people even if it meant surrendering Divine T“I gave you a rough time back in 7th grade and you rode me acknowledgement. real hard, but now I see it was worth it. I succeeded because of you!” If the fate of an entire people; or even just one person, is at risk, we must be ready to surrender not only our material com- What says Torah of this matter? forts to rescue him; we must be ready to give up our spiritual Should you help someone even if they will never thank you— rewards as well. or even recognize your beneficence? What if they will resent Now before you go running out to your help—think pulling the bottle away from save the world at the risk of G‑d’s a drunk? That question is easy. Ethics disapproval, make sure you con- of Our Fathers in Chapter 1 instructs: sult with someone like Mordechai: “Do not be a servant who serves his a wholly righteous person, a master for the sake of reward [be that a member of the Sanhedrin, and material or a social/emotional reward].” a leader of the Jewish people. There’s a tougher question: Would you Like a radical medical proce- assist someone else even if it will mean dure, such actions should be forfeiting your own achievement? Would undertaken only under the you use your study time to tutor a weaker guidance of experts. And student and diminish your own grade even of course the rescue of an if the other student won’t appreciate it? entire people colors the equation as Here’s a much harder one: Would you help well. The point here is limited to understanding how someone else if you weren’t even sure that the anticipation of appreciation should or shouldn’t influence G‑d would appreciate it? our decision making. Queen Esther, the heroine of the story of Purim, is instructed So should we be appreciative? Of course. Should we expect to by Mordechai to approach King Ahasuerus to plead on behalf be appreciated? Yes, again. Should we orchestrate our behav- of her people. Esther resists and explains that no one, not even ior to receive appreciation? No! That appreciation thing can be she, may approach the King (not much of a marriage there!). addictive. A warm thank-you can be so rewarding, and we are Mordechai insists, and Esther acquiesces, declaring: “If I am so desirous of it, that if we are not careful, we start seeking it lost, I am lost” (Esther 4:16). out as an end in and of itself. We replace “Is this the right thing to do?” with “Will this get me a pat on the back?” and when The Talmud explains Esther’s apparently redundant expres- the one showing the appreciation is less than upright, we are sion as her willingness to expose herself to two distinct risks: heading into a world of hurt. On the human plane, approaching the tyrant put her in mortal So the next time you find yourself faced with the opportunity to peril. The earlier story of Queen Vashti’s breech of protocol do someone a favor and that little voice says, “He doesn’t even that resulted in her execution illustrates Ahasuerus’ method of appreciate what I do for him,” don’t listen and do it anyway. And dealing with a disobedient wife. if another voice whispers, “One day he’ll thank you,” don’t listen Yet death isn’t the worst that could happen. After all, Esther is and do it anyway. a prisoner to a barbarian, not much of a life to be sure. What really scared her was that Ahasuerus would be happy to see Copyright and reprinted with permission of Chabad.org

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11 UnmaskingBy Michoel Gourarie

he festival of Purim is the happiest day in people curse, insult and often become violent. It is the Jewish calendar. One of the traditions not true happiness. of Purim is dressing up in fancy dress and The second form of happiness is one with pur- wearing masks. What is the reason for this pose and meaning. The goal of this joy is not exter- Tcustom and how does it connect to the celebration nal pleasure but rather the celebration of meaningful of the day? milestones, spiritual growth or major accomplish- Our sages tell us that “Happiness breaks boundar- ments. This happiness is a true and lasting one. ies.” When people are truly happy they loosen up The boundaries that are broken with real joy are and do things that are beyond the barriers and fences that the norm. But there are two separate us from each other. types of happiness. The first JOY BREAKS The happiness allows us to is egocentric and hedonistic, develop a different perspec- seeking pleasure and a good THE BARRIERS tive on ourselves and other feeling. This is the festivity people. We stop judging oth- that we often witness in pubs AND FENCES ers by their external behavior or wild parties where there is and things they say and do, little purpose or focus. Here THAT SEPARATE and we begin to appreciate the boundaries that are bro- their inner soul. We begin to ken are those of self discipline understand that the annoy- and self respect. This is when BETWEEN US ing actions, feelings and per-

12 sonality traits that separate us from others are only ers that our outward appearance and behavior is external masks that conceal the true human being. always a mask. We realize that all those things that Beneath the mask there is a pristine soul that makes separate us from each other have nothing to do with him/her a special human being. The energy of the our real identity. The celebration of Purim gives us happiness allows us to break through the mask and the ability to look behind the mask and discover the see what is beneath. real person.

On Purim we dress up, reminding ourselves and oth- Copyright and reprinted with permission of Chabad.org

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13 ב״ה An inspiring story for your Shabbos table שבת פרשת במדבר, כ״ד אייר, תשע״ד HEALING THEShabb osHOSPITALS Parshas Bamidbar, May 24, 2014 HERE’S DR. VELVL GREENE my Dr. Velvl Greene (1928-2011) was a bacteriologist who served as professor of public health at the University of Minnesota and Ben- Gurion University, as well as direc- STORY torC ofA the LordLL JacobovitsING Center TH for JewishE S MedicalHO EthicsT Sin Be’er Sheva, Israel. HeGE hadNER previouslyAL YOSS Iworked BEN H AforN ANASA’sN Planetary Quarantine Division, which was charged with trying to find life on Mars. He was interviewed in April of 2008.

n the 19y8 work0’s, I asw aas bacteriologistheading up I DstartedF’s res yearsearch ago an dwhen The Rebbe looked over my protocol and said, “Very, very development. I was 43 years old and I was nearing Ithe end thereof my was car eaner outbreakin the mi liofta ray .penicillin-resistant One day, I got a good. Of course, I don’t understand most of it, but you’re the call from thstaphylococcie IDF’s Chief o whichf Staff , causedGenera anl Le epidemicvy, who w ofas staph expert in the field, so I wish you great success. But, if you ask me, Minfections.better known as Moshe va’Chetzi, which literally means it might be a little more fruitful to investigate a different field.” “Moshe and a Half.” He was called that because he was a Atver thaty tal lpoint, man. I was doing a lot of research; I was looking for I was shocked to hear that. How could I go off to investigate microbesHe said t oon m ethe, “Y owallsssi, lo ofok , hospitals,I know tha tin m theost pair-ductseople yo uofr laundry another field after having been given a truly historic opportunity roomsage w hando ha operatingve achieve drooms. your p Io swasitio nvery leav successfule the IDF. Binut my work in this field! –I ’mdeveloping asking y oau reputationto continu enationally, to serve, andand thento b einternationally,come inC othemm fieldander ooff tinfectionhe Armor econtrol,d Corps .”disinfection, sterilization and quarantine.Basically, he was asking me to leave my desk job — a job I held for three years — and to put my boots on again and toSubsequently, return to the f iinel d1969,. I met with epidemiologists in London, who asked me to take a leave of absence from the Universityth e army? Or should I agree to the request of the Chief of I was very hesitant . We were expecting a baby, and I had Staff and become Commander of the Armored Corps?” ofre aMinnesotally planned t–o wwhereind d oIw wasn my teaching career… Sando I s afromid to hwhereim, I had received“I need tao Ph.D. think inab omedicinalut this. I nbacteriologyeed some t i–m ine tordero see kto spendA at first he did not respond at all. And then he gave me fewsom monthse advice with.” them learning how disease spreads in hospitalsan answer which lives with me until this day. He spoke in the third person but his words were meant for me. In and“Ad howvice? their From techniques whom?” could prevent this. short, this is what he said: “WPeoplehat d ogoes toit m hospitalsatter? I w toan gett to cured.ask so mIndeed,ebody. ”that is the whole“O ne can fulfill one’s obligation by defending the Land — functionIt so hap pofe nhospitalsed that I h–a tod acure trip people.schedul eUnfortunately,d to the United too manyby protecting the integrity of the Land, the integrity of timesState speople the fol logow intog whospitalseek, and andI req ubecomeested to infected. meet wit hIt’s a veryth e Nation and the integrity of the Torah.” the Rebbe. It was arranged that I should speak with the I was quite shocked. Here, the Rebbe was telling me that insidiousRebbe wh thing,en he w butas g iwhyving odoesut h isit d happen?ollars for cBecauseharity. T hsicke people with every type of disease come to hospitals – some ill fromI c ould fulfill my obligation as a Jew by defending the long line that was always there was stopped, and I got to Land of Israel! In other words, he was telling me to stay infectiousspeak wit hdiseases, him for asome coup lfrome min uothertes. types of ailments. So you in the IDButF. he pressed on: “Why don’t you try and study why these haveIn ad allva nthesece of peoplethis, I h togetherad writte nin h oneim a environment. letter, so I bel iToeve design an I saidbacteria, “Rebbe ,become I hope Gresistant-d will g ivine mthee thfirste str eplace?ngth t oIf a microbe is isolationhe knew tsystemhe gist betweenof my dil ethemmma .is W nothe neasy I sa wto h do.im, I said: defend all three.” “Rebbe, I know I’m not worthy of a response to my letter susceptible to penicillin and then becomes resistant, how did it —The I ad mepidemiologistsit that I am not tinha tLondon Torah o bwereserv researchingant — I am ntheot spread Tofh enbecome he add rresistant?”essed me directly, in the second person: infectionsso righteo uwithins that ytheirou s hhospitalould spe wards,nd you andr tim whene on m theye. Bu invitedt me“S trength, you already have. But when strength is locked toif, comenever ttohe learnless, y theirou ar etechniques, willing to h eI aaskedr my q theues blessingtion, the nfor successin a boxOy, it veyis t hize mir!opp oIs thoughtite of str toen gmyself.th. I certainly need I will ask.” not explain this to you as a general.” from the Rebbe, with whom I had developed a relationship over I was so proud of what I was going to do, but his suggestion theHe years.responded, “Of course.” I undwoulderstoo dmean. I had that my aIn wouldswer. I shaveaid, ttoha ncompletelyk you. change my career And so I asked him: “Has the time come for me to leave Thenpath. I aske I’dd a have bles stoin ggo fo backr my andson .learn He g aav lote m ofe amolecular dollar, biology and I was very proud that I had been invited by these people at continued on reverse St. Bartholomew’s Hospital who were then on the forefront of genetics, which didn’t really interest me. I was interested in the studying the epidemiology of antibiotic-resistant bacteria – one drama of epidemiology, of studying disease transmission. An oral history project dedicated to documenting the life of the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, In fact, I venture to say that all epidemiologists love the idea of of whom has since been knightedof righteou sby me mtheor yQueen. The sto rofy isEngland one of th o–u sands recorded in the 900 videotaped interviews and when I mentioned allc othisndu ctote dthe to d Rebbe,ate. Plea hese s haskedare yo uifr Ic ocouldmmen ts asolvingnd sugge sati omystery.ns. mysto There’sry@jem edramadia.or gin cutting a chain of infection send him a copy of the protocol of the research that I intended – it’s what movies are made of. Movies aren’t made of the day- to do. by-day drudgery of genetics which only molecular biologists Of course I did so because, to be honest, I wanted the Rebbe understand. to be impressed by it.

14 ב״ה An inspiring story for your Shabbos table שבת פרשת במדבר, כ״ד אייר, תשע״ד Shabbos Parshas Bamidbar, May 24, 2014 HERE’S my STORY CALLING THE SHOTS GENERAL YOSSI BEN HANAN

n the 1980’s, I was heading up IDF’s research and But somehowdevelop mtheen t. RebbeI was 43understood years old anthatd I wthisas n elinearin gof and infection control, and clinical observation, etc. Or, simply, investigationIthe was end going of my toca ryieldeer i nmore the m constructiveilitary. One dsolutions.ay, I got a In because this question is outside your present work. Yet, it seems call from the IDF’s Chief of Staff, General Levy, who was a letter btoe tmeter kdatednown Mayas M o5,sh 1969,e va’Ch heetz iwent, whi cintoh lite therall ysubject means in to me that this is a question of practical importance… detail: “Moshe and a Half.” He was called that because he was The direction he was advocating back then has since become I am usuallya very t averyll m areluctantn. to express a view on matters which the hot topic in science. If you look at the list of Nobel Prizes lie outsideHe smyaid tfieldo me, “ofYo scompetence.si, look, I kno w However,that mos t havingpeople yglancedour awarded for recent discoveries in medicine and physiology, you througha gthee w detailedho have aresearchchieved yprogramour posi twhichion lea vyoue th eenclosed IDF. But in will see that the dominant field is molecular biology, which helps I’m asking you to continue to serve, and to become your letter,Com mI andecidedder of t htoe A makermore dan Co rps.” us understand antibiotic resistance. observation: Basically, he was asking me to leave my desk job — a job Forty years ago, the Rebbe knew it! I fail I tohe lfindd for t hamongree yea rthes — itemized and to pu t my boots on agaiPEOPLEn and GO TO He said to me, “Velvl, if you ask me, points ofto restudyturn toone the faspectield. which, it would be more fruitful to go into HOSPITALS TO GETthe a CURED.rmy? Or sh ould I agree to the request of the Chief of I was very hesitant . We were expecting a baby, and I had in my humble opinion, should INDEED, THATS tISaff THEand be come Commathisnde field…”r of the Armored Corps?” have beenreal lyof p laparticularnned to w ininterest.d down mIy career… So I said to him, At first he did not respondHe at algavel. An dhis th enadvice he ga vsoe mmodestly.e am referring“I nee dto t othe th irecognitionnk about th ithats. I n eed some tiWHOLEme to see kFUNCTION OF some advice.” an answer which lives wHeith msaid,e un “Youtil thi sare da ythe. H eexpert. spoke I don’t certain microbes and infections may HOSPITALS – TOin th CUREe third p erson but his words were meant for me. In “Advice? From whom?” understand the field … I’m probably be germane to hospitals – a view PEOPLE. UNFORTUNATELY,short, this is wh at he saidwrong…”: which, “IW believe,hat doe shas it mreceivedatter? I wsomeant t o ask somTOOebody. ”MANY TIMES“O nPEOPLEe can fulfill one’s obligation by defending the Land — by protecting the integrity Butof t hhee Lwasand completely, the integr iright.ty of attentionIt sino h apertinentppened t haliterature….t I had a trip scheduled tGOo the TO Uni tHOSPITALSed AND Hence itS tisa tveryes th possiblee follow ithatng w methodseek, and I requested to meet with the Nation and the integrityAlthough of the To rIa hdidn’t.” follow his advice, of infectionthe Rcontrolebbe. I twhich was a arerra neffectiveged that I should speaBECOMEk with the INFECTED.I was quite shocked. Herein, t hhindsight,e Rebbe wa sI t elcan’tling mhelpe tha tbut be Rebbe when he was giving out his dollars for charity. The I could fulfill my obligation as a Jew by defending the elsewherelo nmayg lin elose tha ttheir was aeffectivenesslways there w as stopped, and I got to amazed at the Rebbe’s vision. He had Land of Israel! In other wnoord squalifications, he was telling inme bacteriologyto stay or … becausespe athek w hospitalith him fo environmentr a couple mi nutes. in the IDF. has producedIn adv acertainnce of tstrainshis, I h aind wcertainritten hbacteriaim a let twhicher, so I hasbeli egivenve molecular biology but he anticipated – by at least four decades – theseI said ,developments “Rebbe, I hop ein G -modernd will g ivscience.e me th Hee st rwaseng tgreaterh to than them a measurehe knew tofhe immunity gist of my indil ethatmm specifica. When Ienvironment. saw him, I said: defend all three.” “Rebbe, I know I’m not worthy of a response to my letter life in that respect. It actually sends shivers up my spine. I think I do not know whether the omission of this aspect from your — I admit that I am not that Torah observant — I am not nowTh e–n maybe he ad dIr shouldessed m havee di rdoneectly ,what in th ehe s eadvised.cond person: project siso duerigh tetoo uthes th acircumstancet you should sthatpend ay othreeur tim months’e on me. Bstudyut “Strength, you already have. But when strength is locked period wouldif, neve notrthe lbees ssufficient, you are wi lliton ginclude to hear many qinvestigationuestion, then into iBackn a b othen,x, it i sthe th eRebbe oppos igavete of mestre na gblessingth. I cer tforain lysuccess need in my this area,I w since,ill ask. ”undoubtedly, it would entail the problem of work,not eandxpla Ii nwent this ttoo yEnglandou as a g andener alearnedl.” a lot. We solved some distinguishingHe resp o“immunized”nded, “Of cou rfromse.” “non-immunized” bacteria, of I theund eepidemics,rstood. I h abutd m ywe an sdidn’twer. I sfindaid, th theank yanswerou. to the basic etc., as wellAnd asso the I as problemsked him: “ ofHa changings the time methods come for of m sterilizatione to leave questionThen I awhichsked a the ble sRebbesing fo hadr my posed. son. He gave me a dollar, continued on reverse

An oral history project dedicated to documenting the life of the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory. The story is one of thousands recorded in the 900 videotaped interviews conducted to date. Please share your comments and suggestions. [email protected]

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