Shavuos Guide 6-7 Sivan, 5772 / May 26-28, 2012

Religion & Science Conflicting or Compatible?

The Practical & Soulful Meaning of the Holiday: The , The Mitzvos and their purposes.

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Celebration! Shavuos 5772 / 2012 2 Some Shavuos Thoughts Some Shavuos Thoughts 3 ’s Message 3 Holiday of Shavuos in a Nut Shell My Dear Friends, Wisconsin Jewry, It does have an effect, and connects us to G-d. And the more we understand the sensitivity of this communica- 4 a Brief History of the Giving of the I finally succumbed. I made the big leap from cell phone tion, the more we realize how every nuance indeed Torah to Smartphone. And guess what?! I discovered what a makes a difference. phenomenal change this little piece of technology could 5 The Ten Commandments, The Torah and The MItzvos make in my life. What works for a simple cell phone, will not fix a dam- aged Smartphone. And the smarter, more sensitive, the 6 The Torah from Sinai & the Oral Law Then, the inevitable happened, and I know you have all phone is, the greater care we take in protecting it. A diagram been there. I leaned over the sink and my Blackberry fell into a bowl of water – just for 3 seconds. I grabbed it Mitzvos are the recipe that keeps our connection strong 8 The Torah is... out immediately, pulled apart all of the pieces and set and allows our souls to have a healthy function. 9 The Children them all down in front of a fan blowing at full blast. I remember the reluctance surrounding cordless phones 10 The Kabbalah After all, this was a proven method. My last phone to when they were first introduced on the market. After all, 11 From our Tradition about the Torah and have taken a long breathless swim had been revived how could they work without a physical, visible con- the Giving of the Torah after a few hours in front of the fan. But, as I tried to turn nection? But with time, we discovered that an invisible on my Blackberry, I realized that the fan wasn’t going to connection can be stronger, more capable, and better 14 Shavuos Customs do the trick this time. The phone was still in a dead faint. able to reach a broader range than a visible connection. 15 Shavuos Recipes It did, however, announce repeatedly: “Say a command! Every single connects us with G-d in its own Say a command!” I couldn’t stop it. 16 Religion & Science special way. If our behavior or actions caused a discon- Conflicting or Compatible? Then one of my children – who is savvy and up to date- nection, we must follow the prescribed instructions to 18 A Last Moment Return let me in on a secret, the rice method. Not fully under- reconnect. Methods that work for us as human beings, A story standing, but obeying nonetheless, I immersed the effective as they may be, may not work unless we follow phone in a bowl of raw rice. However at that point, it G-d’s instructions in the Torah. 20 200 Years of the Alter Rebbe was too late. After 12 hours I discovered that I could only This is just another wonderful example of how discover- 23 Life After Life receive some messages, and even though the Blackberry ies can help us understand the invisible but absolute went wild contacting various acquaintances at midnight, 25 Evening of Song and Spirit reality of our relationship with G-d through the obser- sadly the other functions were still in a coma. Just 3 26 What’s Happening at vance of Torah and Mitzvos. seconds! Lubavitch of Wisconsin • • • I tried 24 hours in the bowl of rice, and this time a few 35 Shavuos Schedules & Blessings more apps and gadgets came to life, but it became clear As we are approaching the Holiday of Shavuos, the that my Blackberry had suffered a devastating stroke. festival of the giving of the Torah, we are pleased to offer you this guide, which contains a number of enlightening Thinking about the effects and value, one may wonder: Celebration! “What is really the significance and value of Mitzvos? Do articles regarding science and religion. I trust you will Volume 43 #5 May 2012 they really make a difference? Where can I see the effects find them interesting and informative. Published 6 times a year by: of my actions? Does G-d really care about these “little” This Shavuos, let us connect and reconnect to G-d, the Lubavitch of Wisconsin things? And so, what if I light Shabbos candles after giver of the Torah – by intensifying our commitment to 3109 N. Lake Dr., Milwaukee, WI 53211 sunset? And why is it such a big deal to have a mezuzah the study of Torah, tuning in to understand and internal- Phone: (414) 961-6100 • E-mail: [email protected] scroll with perfect lettering? Won’t the mezuzah case ize G-d’s wisdom and incorporate what we have learned www.chabadwi.org on the door post identify my home as a Jewish home, into our lives. regardless?” Contributing Photographer: Mitchell M. Spector Enjoy! My Blackberry experience really brought home this Best wishes for a very happy Shavuos. concept of how every little action matters. Every Mitzvah Dedicated to the Rebbe, commanded by G-d is a spiritual connection and is real. Yisroel Shmotkin Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, OBM, whose boundless love and teachings are an endless source of inspiration For holiday schedule, candle lighting times & blessings see page 35. and guidance.

2 Check out our weekly online magazine at www.chabadwi.org together. We must exert ourselves to The Rebbe’s Message do the mitzvoth. Each mitzvah we perform (the very word “mitzvah” comes from the Hebrew “tzavta” – A Pivotal Moment “connection”) connects the physical with the spiritual. The rewards of in History a mitzvah are immeasurable: our Our Sages tell us that the revelation of the Torah on Mount actions can bring about a powerful Sinai was a defining moment in the history of humanity. What revelation of G-dliness in this everyday world, and enable us to really happened on the sixth day of Sivan, 2448 – and why is it actually experience our oneness with G-d. so significant in our everyday lives today? When, for example, we take physical ink and parchment, “The heavens belong to the Lord,” says King David in the write a mezuzah, and place it on the doorpost in accordance Psalms, “but the earth, He gave to humankind.” With these with the Torah commandment, we bring heavenly revelation words, King David describes the original human condition in a into the home, and raise up those physical objects to a higher nutshell. We live in a down-to-earth, mundane, material world. spiritual plane. Or when we eat kosher food, and say the The spiritual essence of things is hidden from us. We go through appropriate blessings over the food, we elevate the mundane life, trying to do the best we can with what we are given, but act of eating with holy purpose, and bring spirituality into our without knowing the true heavenly purpose of our existence, we inner lives. often stumble, and sometimes we fall. So, too, with the mitzvot of human interaction. With every With the revelation at Sinai, that reality began to change. Torah-inspired act of kindness we perform, we bring Divine For the very first time, heaven touched down upon earth, and loving kindness down into this world, and make our own earthly beings acquired the ability to lift themselves up above the human character traits that much more Divine. mundane, to unite with the Divine. And the Sages explain that The cumulative effect of all these mitzvoth is to prepare now, ever since the Giving of the Torah, this breakthrough event the world for the ultimate unification of the physical and the is re-enacted each time we perform a Divine Commandment. spiritual with the coming of Moshiach. Then, there will no The Mitzvot are our everyday, practical means of bringing longer be barriers between heaven and earth. We will be able to heaven down to earth, and elevating this material world back experience the essence of G-dly reality and we will live together, up to its spiritual source. in peace and harmony, amidst material and spiritual abundance Had the Al-mighty desired to establish an instantaneous – may it occur speedily, immediately, in our days. spiritual paradise on earth, surely He could have done so. Clearly, this was not His plan. Even after Sinai, it takes Adapted from the teachings of the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem effort and dedication on our part to bring heaven and earth M. Schneerson, OBM.

Holiday of Shavuos in Shavuos is the second of the three biblical major Jewish festivals, Passover being the first and Sukkos the third. a Nut Shell The Name What, Where, and When Shavuos means “weeks,” referring to the seven weeks our ancestors counted The holiday of Shavuos celebrates the Jewish people’s receiving of the Torah. between the Exodus from Egypt and the giving of the Torah. It was G-d’s rendezvous with the Jewish People 3,324 years ago at a Shavuos also means “oaths.” The name indicates the oaths which G-d humble mountain called Sinai. It was the first and only time the and Israel exchanged on the day of the giving of the Torah to Creator communicated with an entire nation. remain faithful to each other forever. Shavuos marks the culmination of the “birth” of the Jewish What happened at this great encounter? What people, when they became a nation that began at the does it mean to us today? And how do we celebrate exodus on Passover. It took place fifty days after leaving it? All this and more you will find in this guide. Egypt, with G-d entrusting them with the cosmic mission of bringing Divine light to the universe. Enjoy! This moment and mission are celebrated on Shavuos, as we rededicate ourselves to our spiritual task.

Special Shavous presentation at www.chabadwi.org/Shavous 3 brought you to myself. Now, therefore, if you will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then you shall be my own treasure from among all peoples: for all the earth is A Brief History mine, and you shall be a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation.” of the Giving of the Torah Moses returned from Mount Sinai and presented the words of G-d before the Jewish people. Unanimously, with one voice and one mind, they responded: Naaseh Venishma, havuos is a continuation and culmination of the redemption from Egyptian “Everything G-d has said, we shall do and we shall listen.” slavery. (For a brief history of the origin of the Jewish people, their enslavement Thus, they accepted the Torah outright, with all its precepts. When Israel had voiced and miraculous redemption see Passover Celebration Brochure 2012, page 4.). When Moses announced to the Jewish people the forthcoming redemption, its eagerness to receive the Torah, G-d spoke to Moses again: “Go to the people, and S sanctify them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their clothes, and be ready by he simultaneously informed them that G-d was going to give them His Torah. The Jewish people were eagerly looking forward to this event. the third day: for on the third day the Lord will come down in the sight of all the people On the first of Sivan, the third month after the exodus from Egypt, in the year 2448 upon Mount Sinai.” on the Jewish calendar (1313 BCE), the children of Israel reached the Sinai desert and On the sixth day of Sivan, G-d pronounced the Ten Commandments before the entire camped near the mountain. Jewish people. During the preceding weeks of traveling in the desert under Divine protection, Following the receiving of the Ten Commandments, Moses ascended Mount Sinai experiencing daily miracles, such as the manna and the quail, the miraculous sweetening and was there for forty days and nights. He learned every aspect of Torah with all its of the water, the crossing of the Red Sea and more, the levels of application. This included all the details of the Jewish people had become more conscious of G-d every 613 Mitzvot, and how they would be applied in Torah day that passed. guidance throughout the ages. Moses ascended Mount Sinai, and G-d spoke to Finally, G-d gave Moses the two stone Tablets of him the following words: “You have seen what I did to Testimony, containing the Ten Commandments, written Mizrayim, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings, and by G-d Himself.

Where Can I Receive the Torah Today? Sunday, May 27, 2012 Each year on the holiday of Shavuos Every Jewish man, woman and child this historic event is reenacted, as should make every effort to be present in the as the Ten G-d offers us His gift of the Torah with Commandments are read from the greater and more intensified love. Torah. Don’t miss this one!

The Shul The Shul East OF THE BAY AREA Morning Service – 9:00am Hear the 10 Commandments –11:00am Morning Service – 10:00am Ten Commandments – 10:15am Kiddush Buffet & Desserts – 12:15pm Ten Commandments – 11:00am 8825 N. Lake Drive • (414) 228-8000 3030 E. Kenwood Blvd. Community Reading – 7:00pm (414) 961-6100 ext. 205 220 Bellevue St. • (920) 288-2252 Mequon [email protected] Morning Service – 10:00am Kenosha Ten Commandments – 11:00am Madison Morning Service – 10:00am Dairy Kiddush to Follow Morning Service – 10:00am Ten Commandments – 11:15am 2233 W. Mequon Rd. • (262) 242-2235 Ten Commandments – 11:00am 6522 - 87th Ave. • (262) 359-0770 1722 Regent St. • (608) 231-3450 For other services, check your synagogue schedule.

4 Check out our weekly online magazine at www.chabadwi.org About The Ten Commandments The Ten Commandments (as listed on page 9) concern both, laws between man and G-d (such as the Shabbat), and laws between man and man (such as not to steal); laws concerning action and speech (do not utter My Name in vain), and laws concerning thoughts and feelings (do not covet that which belongs to another). The Ten Commandments function as a summary of the entire Torah. The Sages point out that the text of the Commandments contains 613 letters, corresponding to each of the 613 Mitzvot. What is the Torah? The word “Torah” is popularly referred to as the 5 books written by a scribe on a parchment scroll. Originally transcribed by Moses as he heard it from G-d, it has been copied thousands of times in every generation in the exact same words and script. It is this Torah scroll that we read in the synagogue. In addition to the Five Books of Moses, the Torah The includes as well the Nevi’im (The Prophets) and Kesuvim (The Holy Writings), all of which form the “Written Torah.” The Torah includes as well the Oral Tradition. IT WAS THE MOST AWESOME MOMENT in the history While the written law forms the “constitution” of the , Torah, its interpretation, the oral law, was also given to of the world and mankind. On the sixth of Sivan, on the Moses at Sinai. Both were simultaneously transmitted from theHebrew calendar (1316 &BC), the G-d revealed himself to generation to generation. Tenthe Jewish Commandments people, millions of them - men, women and The word “Torah” means instruction or guide. It contains children - standing at, the foot of Mount Sinai, as He 613 commandments, of which 248 are positive (do’s) and spoke the Ten Commandments. 365 are negative (don’t’s). It is thisTorah event, the revelation of G‑dMitzvos Himself, without a The Five Books of Moses mediator that established for all of the people, the truth In Genesis, the first book, we learn of G‑d’s creation and eternity of the Torah. of the world and humanity; the life story of the founding fathers and mothers of the Jewish people – Abraham and After the giving of the Ten Commandments, Moses Sarah, Isaac and Rebecca, Jacob and Leah and Rachel, and ascended to the peak of Mount Sinai, and stayed there their families. for forty days and nights. During this time, G‑d taught In the following book of Exodus we learn of the him the entire Torah, as well as the principles of its enslavement of their descendants in Egypt; their miraculous deliverance and exodus; G‑d’s revelation at Mount Sinai, the interpretation for all time. He also gave him the two giving of the Ten Commandments, followed by particular precious stone tablets, in which He engraved the Ten instructions, laws and the building of the sanctuary. Commandments. In the third book, Leviticus, G‑d instructs us concerning the services at the Temple (first during the forty years in the Upon his descent, Moses taught the Torah to the Jewish desert and later on in Jerusalem); laws concerning proper people. The Torah was then taught and transmitted from conduct between man and his fellow and between man generation to generation, until this very day. and G‑d. Continued on page 7

Special Shavous presentation at www.chabadwi.org/Shavous 5 The Torah from Sinai

Torah Prophets Writings Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Isaiah, Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Song Numbers, Deuteronomy Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Hosea, Joel, of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Ecclesiastes, Esther, Daniel, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Ezra, Nehemiah, Chronicles Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi

Mechilta Sifra Sifrei Midrash Zohar Midrash Rabah, Midrash Tanchuma, Yalkut Shimoni, etc.

Six Orders of Mishnah Seeds Season Women Damages Holy Things Purities

Beraita Tosefta

Jerusalem Babylonian Talmud

Works and Responsa of Rabbanan Savurai

Works and Responsa of Geonim The “Codi ers” Alfas (Yitzhak Alfasi) Rambam (Moses Maimonides) Rosh (R. Asher)

Turim (R. Ya’akov Ba’al Haturim)

Shulchan Aruch (R. Yosef Karo) Rema (R. Moshe Isserles) (”Code of Jewish Law”)

Orach Chayim Yoreh Dei’ah Even Ha’ezer Choshen Mishpat

Magen Magen Turei Siftei Chelkat Beit Meirat Siftei David Avraham Zahav Mechokek Shmuel Einayim Kohen

“Scripture, Mishnah, Talmud, Aggadah, even what young students will innovate in the future before their teacher, were all already said to Moses on Sinai.” (Jerusalem Talmud, Peah 2:4

6 Check out our weekly online magazine at www.chabadwi.org In Numbers we learn of the census of the Jewish people; Ever since, the Jewish people have studied the Talmud their trials and tribulations during their forty-year travels and applied its wisdom and principles to matters as they in the desert. arose, eventually leading to the formation of the code of In the last book, Deuteronomy, Moses offers the Jewish Jewish law. people inspiration for years to come, including the promise These elaborations, decision-making, rulings and books that regardless of their condition, challenges, trials and are all based on the explicit principles spelled out in the tribulations, G‑d will never forsake them, and will continue written law – the five books of Moses. It therefore carries to relate to the Jewish people through His prophets; the the weight of Torah itself. book includes the setting of the Torah judicial system and (See diagram on page 6 for a brief overview of the transi- Moses’ foreseeing of the future. tion of the Torah)

The Prophets The Revealed and Hidden Parts of ollowing the passing of Moses, G‑d revealed himself as the Torah: The Kabbalah promised, to individuals of great piety and spirituality. These The Torah in its origin and essence are the prophets who related and recorded G‑d’s instructions is G‑d’s infinite wisdom and will. It and messages. There are 19 books of the prophets. In all, we is this infinite G‑dly wisdom that is had 48 prophets and 7 prophetesses whose prophecies were concentrated in the practical laws of the recorded for their everlasting importance. Torah addressing mundane worldly matters that may be comprehended by human logic. The Holy Writings The Torah, as it deals with practical laws, is the revealed These include the books like Psalms, Song of Songs, Ruth, part of the Torah. The esoteric and mystical element of the and Esther, 11 in all, all of which were written Torah focuses on the G‑dly dimension of the Torah and by one or another of our prophets by metaphysical significance of the Mitzvos which are the ruach hakodesh (divine inspiration). teachings of Kabbalah and Chassidus. They are, as referred to in Jewish tradition, the neshoma (soul) and essence of the The Oral Law Torah. Both the hidden and revealed are inseparable parts The written Torah, its narratives and of the Torah, received from Sinai and transmitted from laws are conveyed in an extremely generation to generation throughout history. (See page concise fashion demanding elucidation 10 for more on the Kabbalah.) by way of the Oral Law which contains the details of the Commandments, their Significance of the Torah meanings, and general principles for the interpretation of In addition to being a guide for a Jew’s life, the inner the written law. significance of the Torah is the fact that it is G‑d’s Short History wisdom. By learning and internalizing the Torah, a person’s The study of these principals and the interpretations derived mind becomes united with G‑d’s wisdom and through it that has been the occupation of the Jewish people through- “embraces” G‑d Himself. out the ages. These teachings have been the common study Although Torah Law concerns itself greatly with simple, of all of the Jewish people; they have been transmitted orally mundane, day to day life matters, nevertheless, therein is from generation to generation. vested G-d’s infinite wisdom. Analogous to a therapists’ After the destruction of the second temple (in the year simple advice containing the solution to the conflicts for 70 BCE) and the Jewish people exiled from Israel, their the deepest recesses of the patient’s soul: or a parent’s simple homeland, having being dispersed all over, the essentials instruction to a child intended to affect of the oral law were recorded (200 CE) in the form of the the child’s future, etc. etc. Mishnah, as well as other compilations. These recordings and the Mishnah in particular, excerpt- ed by and agreed upon by the scholars of the time, have then become the basis for all studies of future generations. The Mitzvos As time went on, it became necessary to record not only There are 613 divine commandments the essential principles and laws, but also the critical elabo- embracing every facet of our lives, rations upon these principles. Three hundred years after the both the duties to our fellow men writing of the Mishnah (500 CE), the great Torah scholars and the way to worship G‑d. The of that generation compiled and recorded the Talmud. It positive commandments, numbering was accepted by all the scholars of that and future genera- 248, equal the number of organs in the tions as the ultimate authorized book on Jewish law. Continued on page 8

Special Shavous presentation at www.chabadwi.org/Shavous 7 human body, implying that a person should serve the Creator with every part of his being. The Torah Is… The 365 negative commandments are equivalent to the number of blood vessels in the The Torah is a manufacturer’s manual. Valuable things human body, indicating that when we guard come with a book of instructions on how to properly and optimally ourselves from transgressing these prohibitions use them. Lawn mowers, mp3 players, minivans have a guidebook. – as we might be tempted to do by desires The same applies to the valuable (and complicated) thing we call life- inherent in the blood – each one of our blood vessels remains “unblemished” and pure. -the Manufacturer accompanied it with an instruction book. The negative commandments also number The Torah is a contract. 365, equal to the number of days of the year. When two parties enter into a Significance of the Mitzvos partnership, binding their finan- Like the hidden depths of the wisdom of the cial futures to a joint destiny, they Torah laws, the simple acts of Mitzohs, being draw up a contract that spells out commanded bythe infinite G-d, contain infi- nite significance. When we do a Mitzvah, we their respective duties and commit- are “doing the infinite,” the Divine. ments. When two people marry, a As physical beings, we cannot feel the depths marriage contract, called a ketubah, is drawn up that does the same. of each of our Mitzvah acts – such as Tefilin, The Torah is our marriage contract with G-d, the document that de- Shabbos candle lightings, etc. – nevertheless, they are still acts of infinity. Like the simple act tails the commitments and duties we assumed toward each other of turning on an electric switch without under- when G-d chose us as His people and we chose Him as our G-d at Sinai. standing or realizing the effect it may have on, say, an entire city. The Torah is identity. What connects the red-bearded chassid in Furthermore, Mitzvah literally means com- Moscow with the black-skinned Yemenite Jew? What does the West mandment; however, it also means compan- Coast Jewish filmmaker have in common with his peddler grandfa- ionship, from the ther or his olive-growing ancestor? Nothing. They share no common Aramaic tzavta (com- panionship). Upon language, facial features or diet. Any two Jews can be as culturally fulfilling a command- or even genetically diverse as any other two members of the human ment, one becomes race. But the Shema recited today in a Canadian synagogue is the united with G‑d, who same Shema that was proclaimed in Egypt 3,500 years ago; the crite- ordained that precept. For, regardless of the ria for the mikveh built at Masada is the same as for the one in Brazil nature of the com- and Milwaukee. Torah bridges continents and de-gaps generations to mandment, the fulfillment of G‑d’s desire cre- serve as our single common expression of our Jewishness. ates a relationship between the creator and the human who executed it. By fulfilling His wish, The Torah is vision. Why a person is in G‑d’s “company.” are we here? Where are we go- This is the inner interpretation of our Sages’ ing? “An architect who builds statement (Avos 4:2): “The reward of a mitzvah is a mitzvah,” indicating that the mitzvah itself a palace,” cites the Midrash, is the greatest reward, for this sets us in a com- “has scrolls and notebooks panionship with the eternal and infinite G‑d. which he consults to know All other rewards are secondary in comparison how to place the rooms, where to this great merit. to set the doors. So it was with Seven Noachide Laws G-d: He looked into the Torah and created the world.” Torah is the di- In the Torah there are also instructions for vine blueprint for creation, the vision that illuminates the foundations gentiles; generally described as the Seven of existence, its purpose and its significance. To study and live Torah is Noachide Laws, which include universal civil laws as given to Moses at Sinai. • to understand and experience the soul of reality.

From Chabad.org, by Yanki Tauber

8 Check out our weekly online magazine at www.chabadwi.org The Children Are The Guarantors

Before G-d consented to give the Torah to the Jewish people, He requested guarantors, who would guarantee the Torah’s continuity in Jewish life. The Jewish people offered several possible guarantors, The Children from the patriarchs to the prophets, but G-d was not Who secured the deal satisfied until the little children with G-d at Sinai? were suggested. The kids did. Only children can be the When we read the Ten Commandments in the guarantors and transmitters synagogue on Shavuos, we make every effort that of Torah; our commitment the children – even the smallest kids – should be there, to their education is the best right in the front row. assurance of our continued commitment to Torah and Join in the ice cream party mitzvot. immediately following the reading. (See page 4 for locations and times.)

THE Ten Commandments

5. Honor 1. I am G-d your L-rd who took you your father out of the land of Egypt. and mother. 2. You shall have no other gods before 6. Do not murder. me. 7. Do not commit adultery. 3. Do not take the name of G-d your L-rd 8. Do not steal. in vain. 9. Do not bear false witness. 4. Remember the Sabbath to keep it 10. Do not covet. holy.

Special Shavous presentation at www.chabadwi.org/Shavous 9 ter teacher singularly attuned to the capabilities and receptivity of each student. One cannot simply open the classic Kabbalistic the Kabbalah texts and glean their truths in a vacuum. KABBALAH. The mere mention of the word conjures up im- Unfortunately, today Kabbalah has been commercialized ages of magical and mysterious otherworldly dimensions, of by those who pretend to grasp its innermost secrets. These spiritual secrets that are profoundly miraculous and deeply in- pretenders purport to teach—and to sell—what they do not spiring. Nowadays it seems everyone—Jew or non-Jew, famous understand, to people who are not equipped to receive it. or nameless—is discovering and uncovering the divine truths of Kabbalah’s mystifying formulas become nothing more than in- Kabbalah. Or are they? toxicating mantras to those who mindlessly repeat them. This is That question raises three, more pointed ones: What is the like trying to cure an illness by chanting the chemical formula essence of Kabbalah? Will opening the exploration of Kabbalah of the remedy. to the masses demean and distort this extremely difficult and This is not to say that Kabbalah should not be studied and highly spiritual subject, reducing it to the level of pop culture? If learned. In fact, it is incumbent upon Jewish scholars to under- Kabbalah is not appropriate for popular study, is it somehow still stand the whole map of Torah from beginning to end, the Hid- relevant to our lives? den Law no less than the Revealed Law. Through- Kabbalah literally means “receiving”; in Israel to- out history, there have been those who, very day, the receipt you get when making a purchase quietly, achieved extensive knowledge of the is called a kabbalah. The Bible, or Written Law, is Hidden Law. given by G-d and is available to anyone who can But today, most of us are simply incapable of read it. The Oral Law—which includes the Kab- comprehending Kabbalah. For us the question is, balah—is received, passed directly from teacher “Is there some way we, too, can ‘receive’ the re- to pupil. markable teachings of Kabbalah in a meaningful Most of Torah is considered Torah haniglet— way, without treading upon its divine essence?” revealed Torah, to be studied by all Jews. Kab- One answer lies in the Chassidic approach to balah, however, was designated chochmah nis- Kabbalah. teret—hidden wisdom. In truth, Kabbalah was It is a basic Kabbalistic concept that the human never literally hidden, but was not widely, or even soul is, in a manner of speaking, a spark of Divine publicly, studied. revelation within the world and that each human being is a mi- The reason for restricting the study of Kabbalah relates to its crocosm of the entire universe. Chassidism shows how the rari- subject matter. Kabbalah encompasses two general themes: fied teachings of Kabbalah, which speak to the macro-universe, ma’aseh bereishit—the theory or description of creation—and can be adapted into a structure with ethical and practical mean- ma’aseh merkavah—Ezekiel’s description of the Heavenly Char- ing for our individual lives. iot, which teaches us about the relationship between humans In this way, Chassidism is a form of applied Kabbalah. Just as and the Almighty. the Revealed Law frames the behavior of our bodies, the inter- When I discuss matters that are tangible and open for all to nalization of Kabbalistic notions of the Hidden Law can attune see and appreciate, things that are already “revealed,” it is simple us to our soul, educating it to connect with the Divine. In this for others to verify the truth of what I say. But if I am talking model, the power of Kabbalah is harnessed not to serve our about angels, for example, I must be very careful. If I speculate own desires but to align them with the wishes of the Almighty. from ignorance, what I say will be nonsense. And it may become One of the most important Chassidic books is called Zohar dangerous nonsense if I fail to realize the power and meaning of Chai, “the living Zohar.” That is what Chassidism does: It gives what I am saying and end up defiling the Majesty of G-d. the Kabbalah life by translating it into something meaningful Equally as esoteric as its subject matter is the language of in one’s relationships with others and, most important, some- Kabbalah. It is presented as a stream of abstract formulas, con- thing that can quell the strife within one’s own soul and calm veyed in Kabbalah’s own unique jargon, understood only by a the struggle of one’s inner being. select cadre of scholars trained to decipher it. To avoid misun- derstanding, Kabbalah had to be taught one-on-one by a mas- By Rabbi Adin Even-Yisrael Steinsaltz

10 Check out our weekly online magazine at www.chabadwi.org and Israelites, through Moses, the third child in the family, after three days of preparation, in the third month (Sivan). Three Knots The Zohar declares “Three are interlocked together: Israel, the Torah, the Holy One, blessed be He.” As One Man, with One Heart Our Sages relate that when the Jews camped before Mount Sinai, they were “as From Our Tradition one man, with one heart.” Many of their other journeys were characterized by differences of opinion and even strife. However, when they prepared to receive the About the Torah Torah, the Jews joined together with a feeling of unity and harmony. This oneness was a necessary prerequisite to the and the Giving giving of the Torah. Ladies First of the Torah To assure that the Torah would be well received and perpetuated, G-d told Moses to first address the women: The Lowest Mountain “Say to the House of Jacob” (referring to the women) was We all know that the Ten Commandments were given on followed by “Tell the sons of Israel” (Exodus 19:3) (referring Mount Sinai. Why Sinai? Say the Sages: Sinai is the lowest to the men). of all mountains, to show that humility is an essential Women should be knowledgeable in Torah, to learn how prerequisite to receiving the Torah. to fulfill the Mitzvot in a full Jewish life. Why then on a mountain? Why not in a plain - or a valley? The woman influences and affects her home and The Code of Jewish Law states at the very beginning: “Do environment. It is the mother who primarily instills values not be embarrassed by mockery and ridicule.” For to receive in her children, encourages her husband to observe and the Torah you must be low; but to keep it, sometimes you study Torah, and affects others through her hospitality, must be a mountain. warmth and teaching. Purpose of the Torah Sight and Sound The Midrash relates that when G‑d was about to give the The Book of Exodus relates that when G‑d gave us the Torah the heavenly angels argued that He should offer it to Torah at Mount Sinai, “The people saw the voices.” “They them! Upon G‑d’s request Moses replied, “Have you been saw what is ordinarily heard,” remark our sages, “and they in Egypt? Do you have an evil inclination? heard what is ordinarily seen.” This implies that the Torah was given in order to elevate As physical beings, we “see” physical reality. On the other humanity as well as the world in general. Precisely for those hand, G‑dliness and spirituality is only something that is who have an evil inclination and need to be refined, was the “heard”—it can be discussed, perhaps even understood to Torah given. some extent, but not experienced first hand. Kesser - A Crown But at the revelation at Sinai, we “saw what The Ten Commandments consist of is ordinarily heard” – we experienced the Divine 620 letters, equaling the number of as an immediate, tangible reality. On the other the 613 Mitzvos and the 7 Rabbinical hand, what is ordinarily “seen” – the material world Mitzvos (such as Chanukah, Purim, etc.). – was something merely “heard,” to be accepted or 620 is the numerical value of the Hebrew rejected at will. word “Kesser”- a crown. Each mitzvah is Blueprint considered a part of G‑d’s crown. When fulfilling a mitzvah The Torah is the blueprint by which the world was a person offers a crown to the Almighty. designed. Everything that exists can be found in the Torah. A Triple Torah Furthermore, “In any one concept of Torah you can find the Everything connected with the giving of the Torah was of a entire world.” triple nature: the Torah consists of Chumash (the five books Mitzvot of Moses), Prophets, and the Holy Writing (TeNaCH). It The 613 Mitzvos (Commandments) are compared to a was given to Israel, comprised of Kohanim (priests), Levites

Special Shavous presentation at www.chabadwi.org/Shavous 11 thick rope woven of 613 thin strands. They parallel the “rope” of the downward flow from G‑d that connects the neshama (soul) invested in a human body with G‑d. (Rabbi Schneur Basic Zalman of ) A Scale A person should view Torah himself, and the entire world, as being equally balanced between good Test and bad... By doing even a single mitzvah, he could tip the scales for himself and the entire world for the good, and bring Regardless of one’s religious involvement and himself and everyone else redemption and deliverance. personal observance, we all know that the Torah (Maimonides) is the Jewish Constitution, the book of our religion The Torah — G-d Given which belongs to every single Jew. Rabbi Akiva said: Was Moses an expert hunter (that he knew so much about animals)?! Rather, the Torah recorded this (the detailed names of different species of Test your knowledge of Torah by answering the animals, foul and fish,) in response to anyone who might questions below. claim that the Torah is not from Heaven. Given in the Desert 1. How many books are in the Torah? The Torah was given to us in the barren, ownerless desert 2. What are their names? to emphasize that no man may claim any superior right 3. What is the name of the first recording of the Oral to the world of G-d. It is equally the heritage of every Law? Jew, man, woman and child, equally accessible to the accomplished scholar and the most simple of Jews. 4. How long did the Jewish people reside in Egypt? Daily Heavenly Echo 5. How long did the exodus from Egypt take? Our Sages declare: “Every day an echo resounds from 6. What was Moses’ mother’s name? Mount Horeb (Sinai) and proclaims: ‘Woe to those who 7. What are the Ten Commandments? insult the Torah…” Asked Rabbi Israel Baal Shemtov: Has anyone heard 8. On which day of Creation were birds created? this echo? To what purpose, then, is this proclamation if 9. How many mitzvot (commandments) are in the Torah? no one hears it? 10. What does a mezuzah scroll consist of? But often a person is seized by a feeling that has no identifiable source or cause. He may be struck by a 11. What legal contract obligates a man to support his sudden joy, or fear, or regret. He may suddenly resolve to wife? better himself, to rectify a deficient past and turn a new 12. Who are the “Four Mothers” of the Jewish people? leaf in his life. He may be suddenly driven to embark on 13. Who was the first Jewish baby to be circumcised at a new initiative in his spiritual development. From where eight days? do these unprovoked awakenings come? Every day an echo resounds from Mount Horeb. 14. How many judges were in the High Court (Sanhedrin) in Jerusalem? 49 Days of Counting Upon their leaving Egypt, when Moses 15. How many witnesses are required to establish a matter related to the Jewish people that G‑d as being true? will give them the Torah, the Jewish 16. What are the Three Festivals mentioned in the Torah? people were extremely eager and 17. What are the criteria for determining the kosher status impatiently counted the days. Hence the Mitzvah of counting the 49 days of a fish? between Pesach and Shavuos. • 18. How many sons did Adam and Eve have?

12 Check out our weekly online magazine at www.chabadwi.org I read about a little boy, Abraham, who defied conventional wisdom with Where is G-d? the assertion of G-d’s existence. I read about his descendants, sure in their identity, proud of their heritage, but barely clinging to the memories in a G-d did not make a quiet, subtle appearance at Sinai. The strange and hostile land. I read about their struggles to retain that shard mountain shook, thunder crashed. The divine voice reverberated through of elusive G-dliness in their lives – elusive because they could talk and the galaxies. The world was shocked into stillness. And the people present, communicate with G-d, but no matter what they did, they themselves those who were supposed to receive this great revelation, were actually overcome by the first intimation of His presence. They were revived shortly were not touched, their souls and surroundings remained unchanged. And thereafter, only to be knocked out again by commandment number two. I read about a nation in Egypt, six hundred thousand strong, raised and I can assure you that I would be happy to drop dead myself if G-d made saved as it was about to slip into oblivion. a personal visit. But He’s not making a personal visit, and He doesn’t want And then I read about the mountain and the thunder, the Revelation at me to die. G-d started the whole thing with a big bang, but He’s kind of which this book was given. That not-so-subtle revelation. disappeared since then. Yes, there have been selected appearances: a cloud And I read in the commentaries that indeed G-d shook the world’s on the tabernacle, a fire on the altar, a something here, a something there. foundation with His appearance, changing the very nature of existence. But it seems that the grand appearance, where we heard G-d’s voice, felt That, indeed, was for us an out-of-body experience, in which G-d took G-d’s presence, was only a one-time thing. each of our souls and altered its make-up, changing forever who we So, here I am, three thousand years later, and I’m left with this Torah and its many, many instructions, but none of the instructor. I’m left with are and what we could do. That G-d rewrote the code words of creation, a G-d who doesn’t want me to drop dead at the enabling us to be receptive to a different type of sight of Him, but wants me to live with Him – in His revelation – a revelation so subtle, that although it absence. So, the question I’d like to put to this G-d of is earth shattering, I feel only the slightest tremor. mine is, What are You thinking? I read on. How after Mt. Sinai, the Children of Nothing doing. G-d is not available for comment. Israel settled into a different type of existence. One He’s already given that comment, and all the in which their Torah could speak to them, and their commentaries along with it. actions to G-d. An existence that was enabled by So I open the book. “In the beginning G-d created that earth-shattering event, and that empowers us, the heavens and the earth. And the earth was bare and empty, and darkness covered it.” I read, read[,] to this day, to do our own earth shattering. and read. I read about how G-d created the world I understand finally that G-d made the most as an extension of Himself and why He did it. I read unsubtle revelation so that afterwards His presence about a world, just a few centuries later, alienated not should become so subtle that it could fit in my mind, just from this purpose, but from the creator Himself. my heart. So subtle I could live with it.

Special Shavous presentation at www.chabadwi.org/Shavous 13 Ruth In many the book of Ruth is read on the second day of Shavuos. There Shavuos are several reasons for this custom: A) Shavuos is the birthday and yahrzeit (day of passing) of Customs King David, and the book of Ruth records his ancestry. Boaz and Ruth were King Pull an All-Nighter David’s great grandparents. Our Sages relate that our ancestors slept late the morning B) The scenes of harvesting, described in the book of Ruth, they received the Torah. How could that have happened? are appropriate to the Festival of Harvest. C) Ruth was a They so anxiously awaited that occasion. They sincerely, but sincere convert who embraced Judaism with all her heart. mistakenly thought that they would be best able to receive On Shavuos all Jews were converts having unconditionally the Torah if their souls were not accepted the Torah and all of its constrained by the physical body, precepts. and able to tap into subconscious Go Green realms beyond the normal human It is customary on Shavuos to mind. adorn the synagogue and home They didn’t realize that ulti- with fruits, greens and flowers. mately G-d wants us to utilize the The reason: Fruits - In the time mundane, everyday experience, of the Temple the first fruits of the physical, in order to make this harvest were brought to the Temple world a holy place where He can beginning on Shavuos. Greens - “reside”. Our Sages taught that on Shavuos To compensate for that mistake judgment is rendered regarding the we stay up the entire first night of trees of the field. Flowers - Our Shavuos and study Torah, ready Sages taught that although Mount to receive the Torah once more Sinai was situated in a desert, in when G-d again offers it to us, this honor of the Torah, the desert Shavuos, with renewed vigor. bloomed and sprouted flowers. Dairy Foods & Blintzes It is customary to eat dairy foods Additional Names of Shavuos on the first day of Shavuos. One of Shavuos is also called Atzeret, the reasons given for this custom meaning – The Completion, is because the Torah is likened to because together with Passover nourishing milk. it forms the completion Also, on Shavuos, immediately after receiving the Torah, of a unit. We gained our freedom on Passover in the Jewish people were required to east kosher. The only foods order to receive the Torah on Shavuos. available for immediate consumption were milk products. Another name for Shavuos is The Hebrew word for milk is “chalav”. When the numerical Yom Habikurim or the Day of value of each of the Hebrew letters in the word “chalav” are the First Fruits. In an expression added together – 8; 30; 2 – the total is 40. 40 is the number of thanks to G‑d, beginning on of days Moses spend on Mount Sinai when receiving the Shavuos, each farmer in the Land of Torah. Israel brought to the Temple the first The custom to eat cheese blintzes on Shavuos is based wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, on a play of Hebrew words. The Hebrew word for cheese olives and dates that grew in his field. is Gevinah, reminding us of the “controversy” of the taller Finally, Shavuos is also called Chag HaKatzir, the mountains, each claiming to be worthier than Sinai for the Festival of the Harvest, because wheat, the last of the grains privilege of receiving the Torah. They were, therefore, called to be ready to be cut, was harvested at this time of the year. Gavnunim - “humps,” because of their conceit, while Sinai, On Shavuos two loaves of wheat bread from the new harvest small and humble, was chosen for its humility. were offered at the temple in Jerusalem.•

14 Check out our weekly online magazine at www.chabadwi.org Classic Cheese Blintzes Eggplant Rollatini Blintzes are a traditional dish for the holiday of Shavuos. A delicious dairy Shavuos dish. Top with sour cream, apple sauce or cinnamon and sugar.

BATTER TO ASSEMBLE CREPES: 4 eggs 1. Prepare batter and filling 1/2 cup milk of your choice. Using a paper 1/2 cup water towel or basting brush, apply 1 cup flour a thin coating of oil to a 7 inch 1/4 cup sugar skillet. Place skillet over medium 1 package vanilla sugar heat until skillet is hot but not Pinch of salt smoking. 1 Tbsp. oil 2. Ladle approximately 1/3 cup CHEESE FILLING I of batter into the skillet. Tilt pan 1/2 pound farmer cheese to swirl the batter so it covers the 4 ounces cream cheese bottom of the skillet. 4 Tbsps. honey or maple syrup juice of 1/2 lemon 3. Fry on one side until small 1 egg yolk air bubbles form, and top is set. Bottom should be golden brown. CHEESE FILLING II EGGPLANT AND CHEESE pepper, drizzle with a little olive When done, carefully loosen 1 pound cottage cheese, strained STUFFING: oil. Place on rack 4-inches from edges of crepe and slip out of broiler and broil until lightly 2 egg yolks 3 medium eggplants, skillet onto a plate.. browned and softened, about 4 2 Tbsps. flour about 3 lbs. 2 Tbsps. sugar 4. Repeat the above procedure minutes per side. Remove and let 1 tsp. vanilla sugar until all the batter is used. Grease Olive oil cool slightly. 1/4 cup raisins (optional) the skillet as needed.. 16 oz Ricotta cheese Meanwhile, prepare the cheese stuffing. In a medium bowl, USE: 7 inch skillet 5. Turn each crepe so that 2 cups of your favorite prepared golden brown side is up. Place mix together the ricotta and YIELDS: 12 blintzes marinara sauce or create your mozzarella cheeses. Add the 3 tablespoons of filling on one own. BATTER: In a large mixer bowl edge in a 2 1/2 inch long by garlic, basil, eggs, salt and combine eggs, milk, water and 1-inch wide mound.. ½ cup shredded Mozzarella pepper. Mix well to combine. blend well. Gradually add flour, cheese 6. Roll once to cover filling. Fold To assemble: Preheat oven to then both sugars, salt and oil. the sides into the center and 2 garlic cloves, minced 375 degrees F. Lightly grease Beat well until there are no continue rolling until completely a 13x9x2-inch baking pan lumps in the batter. 5 basil leaves, shredded closed.. with spray or olive oil. Spread FILLING I: Combine all 1 egg, lightly beaten about ¼ cup of the sauce in the 7. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in ingredients in a bowl and bottom of the pan. Spoon about the skillet and place each crepe Salt and pepper to taste beat well. Or combine all 2 tablespoons of the cheese seam side down in the skillet the ingredients in a blender mixture on the short end of an and fry 2 minutes on each side, container and blend until eggplant slice and roll. Place in turning once. For the eggplant and stuffing: baking pan, seam side down. smooth. Preheat broiler to high. Remove VARIATION: Whole wheat pastry Continue with the remaining FILLING II: Combine all the tops of the eggplants. Cut eggplant slices and cheese. ingredients, except raisins, in a flour can be used instead of into ¼ to ½-inch thick slices white flour. Spread 1 cup of the remaining bowl and beat well. Or all the vertically, from top to bottom. sauce on top and bake until hot ingredients can be combined in Excerpted from Spice and Spirit, The Brush a large baking sheet and bubbly, 20 to 30 minutes. a blender container and blended Complete Kosher Jewish Cookbook, with a little olive oil. Place the Remove from oven and let rest until smooth. Then add raisins. published by Lubavitch Women’s slices, in batches, on the sheet. about 5 minutes before serving. Cookbook Publications. Season lightly with salt and

For additional Shavuos recipes visit www.chabadwi.org/shavuos.

Special Shavous presentation at www.chabadwi.org/Shavous 15 our disobedience to the Divine command taken so seriously as to warrant the raising of a heavenly fuss? And finally, could such otherworldly rumblings realistically register down here on earth? & A right turn in the wrong direction Religion brought me the answer to this question. Somewhere between the Hutchinson River Parkway and Zomick’s Bakery, it Science became apparent that a remote satellite was attuned to my precise station. One wrong move on my part was enough to elicit an Conflicting or outer space outcry, with this skyway sleuth adjuring me to return to the path of truth. Compatible? A new technology reinforced an ancient reality. If a man-made satellite can simultaneously direct tens of thousands of vehicles, why can’t G-d direct the many The miniature computer screen, previously men He made? displaying a digital map, now started Indeed, He does. Sometimes we feel a A Voice flashing the term “recalculating.” Then bolt of inspiration out of the blue, with the orders started coming fast and furious. no prior warning or preparation. It’s the First there was, “At the corner, turn left!” from Heaven heavenly voice ringing out and making When I ignored this, there came, “In a half the connection. At times, we may even I heard a heavenly voice. mile, turn right!” Finally, with an air of take the hint on a conscious level. Like As I was driving from my urgency, it instructed, “If possible, please receiving a call from a friend inviting office to a meeting in Rye Brook, New make a U turn!” you to attend a Jewish gathering, to do a York, I put my vehicle’s GPS navigation My thoughts turned back to my days system to work. in (Torah school). There was that mitzvah or to join a class, encountering a On my return drive I noticed the exit enigmatic passage in Ethics of the Fathers. little bit of Torah spirit. • for Francis Lewis Boulevard. Zomick’s, a It spoke of a heavenly voice issuing forth popular, OK-certified kosher bakery, is from Mount Horeb (Sinai), imploring located a short distance from Francis Lewis errant souls to return to G-d. “Of what use Boulevard on Central Avenue in Long is this heavenly voice,” asks the Baal Shem Island. Desperate to populate my desolate Tov, “if we don’t actually hear it on earth?” stomach, I hooked a quick right at the exit. The Baal Shem Tov explains that while the Just then a voice called out to me in a voice is not physically audible, man’s spirit strangely mechanical tone, “Get back on senses it, and many a lost soul has returned the Hutchison River Parkway right away!” at the beck of this powerful call. The vehicle’s navigation device, which had Some people may consider it far-fetched. been supporting my progression along the People ask: Does G-d truly monitor logical route to my stated destination, took every move we make, to the point of note of my deviation and went berserk. registering even the smallest mistake? Is

light, heat, or other use) can be exploited great variety of possibilities that life has to LAW in ways previously unimaginable. offer. In truth, however, the very opposite We often hear the argument that a life is the case. A life without parameters Among the great technological achieve- that is faithful to the precepts of the Torah is a life that quickly dissipates in the ments of the last half-century is the devel- is greatly constricted and confined. Why cosmic heterogeneity in which we exist, limit myself in any way? Why not give opment of the laser beam. The nature of draining it of all power and impact. As the light is such that it scatters as it moves free reign to my thoughts, feelings and example of the laser beam demonstrates, it away from its source, thereby lessening its inclinations, and let them lead me where is precisely the limitations imposed on a intensity and effect. The laser overcomes they may? Why automatically exclude this limitation by concentrating its energy certain pursuits and experiences from the force that extend and amplify its potential in a straight line so that it retains its poten- possible paths my life might take? and enable its optimal realization.. • cy even at great distance from its point of On the face of it, any code of behavior is origin, with the result that its utility (as limiting something that detracts from the Adapted from the teachings of the Rebbe. 16 Check out our weekly online magazine at www.chabadwi.org literature; The Israelites made up the story Torah itself isn’t muddled, that’s for sure. to justify Zionism; We can’t know because No matter where or when a Torah scroll The the original story got distorted over time; has been written, it’s letter perfect. Or, There may have been an unverifiable indeed, of the 304,000 - odd letters there Scientific personal revelation to Moses only; There is one variation in a letter written as an may have been a mass revelation but its ‘aleph’ or a ‘heh’, but I don’t think that Proof of content is unknown to us today. 99.9997 per cent precision over 3,324 Whoa fellas! You can’t all be right! Let’s years and thousands of lines of transmission go about this rationally. We could treat constitutes ‘broken telephone.’ The Truth of each claim as a kind of hypothesis. We And the oral Torah is just as well can’t test history experimentally, but we preserved. For instance, the biblical The Torah can explore each option’s relative feasibility. mandate for the holiday of sukkot includes We have no evidence of alien to “take the fruit of a beautiful tree.” Now There is an overarching question which I interventions or any tradition with a I like apples, you may like coconuts, and think can be summed up as “How can one narrative about aliens. Nor have we any a third may like grapefruit. Who is to say precedent for a mass hypnosis of such rationally defend the view that scientific what’s beautiful in trees. And yet, whoever magnitude. Besides, who would Moses consensus is questionable, while religious has a tradition of any type has the tradition doctrine is certain, especially in light of hypnotize? A people who argued about to use a Mediterranean citron, or Esrog. the contradictory claims of each religion?” everything, including what to eat, where The same precision applies to the oral Let me begin by stating that a key to go, who to lead them, intermarriage, tradition regarding all 613 commandments factor distinguishing Judaism from other rituals and nepotism? Nnnaw, I don’t religions is the Sinai Experience. Other think so. of the written Torah. major religions have a single prophet with I guess when the call is important a few witnesses to back them up, followed enough; you make sure the phone doesn’t by a lot of proselytizing. Judaism’s different. break. We’ve got a public divine revelation to When a scientist wants to verify an millions of people followed by this precise event, she looks for many observers, and and unbroken chain of tradition from then the more the better. And she doesn’t until now. want clones, rather observers should be “But whoa!” the rational man protests. independent and diverse. And the more How do we know it really happened? numerous and diverse the witnesses and There are plenty of possible explanations the more precisely all stories match, the as to how that story came about. more trustworthy the observation is, in Let’s look a little closer. We can all objective scientific terms. probably agree that some long time ago, According to these criteria, it may well a nation of Hebrews left Egypt somehow. be argued that the revelation at Sinai is at We can further agree that some time later least as well substantiated as any historical they made it to what is now the Land of event on record! Bahhh, the skeptic may Israel. Where it gets tricky is figuring out say, but so what? To that I say: May one what happened in between. change the rules of evidence in the middle In what seems to us like the foggy past, of the game of knowledge? If these are the the ancient Israelites ostensibly left Egypt criteria of empiricism, then who cares if without a Torah and arrived in Israel the object of that knowledge is something with one. Obviously they picked it up Moreover the revelation wasn’t just weird and wonderful, or even Divine? somewhere along the way, but where and to Moses. It was public. With all the On the contrary, to marginalize or how? What are the alternatives? dirty laundry and dissenting opinion of trivialize the Torah’s claim to divine We could do a study. Ask ten random “Jewish Tradition,” wouldn’t it make sense people on the street what happened at that some alternative history should have origin without any rational evaluation of Sinai and you just might get ten random trickled through? But that has not been the evidence would be absolutely anti- opinions (especially if you ask Jews!), the case. Whoever has a story has this one. scientific, and arguably even less rational ranging from “Nothing. They made it all And it stands to reason. Would you be able than accepting it as true. • up.” to “Exactly as it says in the Bible.” and to re-engineer a whole public’s perception everything in between. For instance: about an event they observed themselves? Excerpts from Dr Arnie Gotfryd, Aliens redeemed, and then indoctrinated, Not too likely. Environmental Ph.D., winner of numerous the people at Sinai; Moses conned the But what about broken telephone? Even academic and scientific awards; Professor public into believing G-d spoke to him; if there were a Divine revelation at Sinai, at the University of Toronto; designer of an He was a mass hypnotist; The people were surely after 3,000-odd years, the details award-winning accredited course, “Faith enlightened and composed the story as would have gotten muddled? Well, the and Science”; writer, editor and lecturer.

Special Shavous presentation at www.chabadwi.org/Shavous 17 In honor of the forthcoming 18th Yahrzeit anniversary of Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, OBM, (on the 3th of Tammuz/June 23, 2012) and in gratitude of his vision and gift of love, we present the following fascinating story.

A Last Moment Return

haim Cohen was a very prominent Israeli Judge. The greatest uproar and sensation he caused, though, was He served as the Minister of Justice, the Attorney when, during his term on the Supreme Court, he left the General and eventually a member of the Israeli country in order to circumvent the marital legal system in Supreme Court. He also defined himself as an Israel. Being a Kohen, (who according to Jewish law), he C‘apikores’, a bona fide heretic. could not marry a divorcee. The Rabbinate had refused to Chaim was born in Germany to a religious orthodox fam- officiate his marriage with a divorced woman. He then trav- ily, and both of his grandfathers were . As a young eled to the US to marry this woman. This caused interna- man, he moved to Israel where he studied for years in the tional headlines and forced Cohen to resign from his seat best Yeshivos (religious school of higher learning) in Israel, on the Court. under the famous Chief Rabbi Avraham Yitzchok Kook. But then, on Simchas Torah 1975, Chaim Cohen ar- Eventually, however, he abandoned the Yeshiva, became a rived at the Lubavitch Headquarters, , lawyer and proclaimed himself a proud atheist. to the Hakafos (dancing ceremony with the Torah) of the As a very influential member of the Israeli Judicial sys- Lubavitcher Rebbe. The man who had devoted his life to tem, Chaim Cohen devoted most of his career to fighting fight Torah-Judaism, decided to join! anything that was even remotely associated with Torah and Now, Chabad is famous for its all-inclusive and uncon- of Halacha (Jewish law) which he felt were repressive and ditional acceptance of any Jew. But there were those in the inhumane. Synagogue that night who felt indignant that Chaim Cohen He was one of the leading advocates for expanding the had the chutzpah to even show up, as if to mock once again “Law of Return,” which classified even complete non-Jews all that Judaism held sacred. just as Jews, granting Jewish people automatic entry into Furthermore, there were few issues which grieved the Israel. Rebbe as painfully as the issue of “The Law of Return.”

18 Check out our weekly online magazine at www.chabadwi.org The Rebbe felt that to break down the minutes; this one went on for not ten, Halachik definition of a Jew threat- “I am too old not twenty, not thirty, but for forty- ened our very existence as a peo- to change my five full minutes. ple. Chaim Cohen fought the Rebbe on ways, but please And Chaim Cohen danced, and this issue head on. danced, and danced. And the Rebbe make sure that Someone asked the Rebbe, whether they stood there, waving his hands, and en- are permitted to give Chaim Cohen the after I die, I am couraging him on and on and on. Torah to dance with? buried according The night was over. Cohen went The Rebbe said: “A Jew wants to accept to Jewish Law, back to Manhattan to the home of upon himself the yoke of Torah and you according to his friend where he was staying. No, wouldn’t allow him!?” he never openly changed his ways. He Even before that, the Rebbe hon- Torah.” did not become a Chossid or an ob- ored him with reading aloud one of the servant Jew. But … verses we recite prior to Hakafos. Then, the Rebbe asked to give Chaim a Sefer After returning from 770 on Torah scroll for a Hakafa, the greatest privilege of the night. Simchas Torah, Cohen told his close friend, his host, “I am Somehow he was given a heavy Torah Scroll. At sixty five he too old to change my ways, but please make sure that after was not exactly a young man. So someone suggested, “It’s I die, I am buried according to Jewish Law, according to too heavy for him!” Torah.” And the Rebbe replied: “For a Jew, the Torah is never too When he died in 2002, the Israeli newspapers wondered heavy.” (Far a yid iz di Torah nisht tzu shver.) why Cohen would ask to be buried in a religious manner And then the impossible happened: Justice Chaim Cohen, when his entire life was devoted to fight religion. the self-proclaimed heretic, held on to that Torah for the en- Very few people knew that this was because of his ex- tire Hakafa, never relinquishing it, never tiring, never stop- pressed wish after that Simchas Torah experience with the ping his dancing. The average hakafa in 770 lasted fifteen Rebbe in 770.

New home, same great camp! Week 4: July 16th to July 20th Schedule of Specialty: Woodworking, Shuffleboard, Juicing, Art Camp Gan Israel Sport: Basketball, Swimming* Activities Field Trips: Ozaukee Skateland, Fishing is now at Donges Extra-Curricular: Sr. Girls Shabbaton (July 20th) Bay Elementary School in Mequon. Week 1: June 25th to June 29th Week 5: July 23rd to July 27th Specialty: Tae Kwon Do, Lacrosse, Drama, Art Specialty: Leatherworking, Disc Golf, Mini-Chefs, Art Sports: Softball, Swimming* Sports: Kickball, Swimming* Field Trip: Horseback Riding, Ropes Field Trips: Baseball vs. CGI Chicago, Betty Brinn Course, Bonfires @ Camp Matawa Children’s Museum, Recycling Plant, Bowl-a-Thon for a summer of Extra-Curricular: Orientation Bash (June Charity, Bear Den Zoo, Golf, Adventure Rock, Laser Tag 24th), Pioneers & Trail Blazers Overnight @ Camp Matawa (June 28th) Week 6: July 30th to August 3rd

Adventure! Week 2: July 2nd to July Specialty: Lego Robotics, Track & 6th (no camp July 4th) Field, Scrapbooking, Art Specialty: Tae Kwon Do, Lacrosse, Drama, Art Sport: Soccer, Swimming* Sport: Football, Swimming* Field Trips: Pump It Up!, Schlitz Field Trips: Beach Day at Long Lake, Audubon Nature Center Brewers Game, Fire Station Extra-Curricular: Sr. Boys Shabbaton (August 3rd) Extra-Curricular: Family Picnic (July 5th) Week 7: August 6th to August 10th Week 3: July 9th to July 13th Specialty: Pinewood Derby, Flag Football, Dance, Art Specialty: Drumming, Cricket, Face Painting 101, Art Sport: Wacky Sports, Swimming* Sports: Field and Floor Hockey, Swimming* Field Trips: Little A-Merrick-A , Pioneers Field Trips: Pirates Hollow Water Great America Overnight, Beach Day Park, Action Territory Extra-Curricular: Family Shabbat Dinner (July 13th) *Lessons are optional for an additional fee.

Special Shavous presentation at www.chabadwi.org/Shavous 19 200 Years of the Alter Rebbe

In honor of the 200th Yahrzeit (anniversary of the passing) of Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Lidai, founder of the Chabad Lubavitch movement – the following two articles explore the depth and impact of his philosophy and vision.

Secularism The Mumbai and Traditional Massacre Revisited

Judaism (With thanks to Tim Rutten of the LA Times who first gave expression to many of the ideas contained here.) By J.J. Gross To the undiscerning eye, fundamentalism is fundamentalism. The Some 200 years ago, European Jewry began to enjoy the benefits of outward manifestations are easily recognized; beards, covered heads, emancipation and the first taste of political freedom. New opportunities severely attired women, regular prayer in an exotic tongue. From these, ter Re created new temptations, resulting in the so-called “Enlightenment” Al bb it goes without saying, it is but a short leap to murder, mayhem, and e e h t the oppression of women and non-conformists. - a mass exodus of intelligent, secularly educated Jews who f

o convinced themselves that Judaism was about to be discarded

But as in the fictional world of Superman comics, the more simi- forever. They rejected their customs and traditions as relics lar two groups might appear the more different they in fact are. of primitive superstitions. Some would retain echoes of their In Superman one has the real world and the “Bizarro” world. The Jewishness through harmless rituals such as lighting Friday night characters, names, and attire of both worlds are virtually identical. candles or a cultural affinity like attending the Yiddish theater. But But, as if there were some missing or added gene, the characters in for most assimilationists the primal husk of ritual observance and Torah Bizarro world are truly evil while those in its normative counterpart are study was to blame for stifling Jewish creativity and cutting Jews off essentially good. Not surprisingly, the targets of Bizarro evil are those from mainstream society and achievement. These had to be totally whom they most closely resemble. Because, indeed it is the Bizarros rejected and permanently discarded. who know just how diametrically opposite they are from their targets. Already then, a war of ideas was begun to fortify genuine Judaism Four years ago, in Mumbai, Islamic jihadists once again singled out and inspire the rank and file with Torah’s intellectual rigor and mystical institutions and individuals for their particular brand of murderous brilliance. Leading this battle for Jewish survival was the charismatic attention – namely Americans, Britons and Jews. The sites of jihadist Hasidic leader, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, the founder of what is attacks vary – New York, London, Madrid, Nairobi, Mumbai, Jerusalem today knows and Chabad-Lubavitch. His principles, his teachings, his – but the object of their hatred remains the same: modernity. texts have since become the engines of Jewish survival and revival as embodied in the worldwide Chabad-Lubavitch movement. Mumbai was selected not only because it was so-called ‘soft’ target, but because it epitomizes modernity in the world’s most populous democ- Back then secularized Jewish intellectuals understood that a minority of racy. Mumbai has become the symbol of India’s place in the modern weak-minded, semi-literate Jews would cling to the old superstitions. world; its center for banking, commerce, high-tech and film. Distinguished by their unkempt beards and long black coats, they would survive on the fringes of Jewish life, entrenched in their self- A common denominator is shared by the venues targeted by these imposed ghettos. So long as they knew their place, these anachronisms merciless killers: luxury hotels, a railway station, a hospital for women

20 Check out our weekly online magazine at www.chabadwi.org were not much of a threat. The new face of Judaism would be urbane, well-groomed clean-shaven, intellectual and, understandably, cynical about faith, especially their own. For nearly two centuries everything went according to plan. Ultimately, great minds like Sigmund Freud and Albert Einstein became the universal Jewish poster boys. Both were globally identified as Jewish, yet they ridiculed their 3,000 year tradition as a collection of fairy tales and myths. and children,the Chabad Jewish center. What they have in common is their powerful connection to the modern world. And if one doesn’t Thus assimilation became the norm, and everything proceeded as automatically associate a Hasidic center with modernism, perhaps its expected – provided one can ignore such glitches as the Holocaust, time to remove those blinders and learn to distinguish between normal planned and executed in the very cradle of Jewish assimilation. and bizarro. But then something changed. One of the religious Neanderthals dared As with all totalitarian movements that preceded it, hatred of liberty to rear his head. Unhappy with the way Judaism was being shunted to and recognizable Jews is the bedrock of contemporary jihadism. the sidelines, he rejected the notion that secular Jews were any more This makes all the more poignant – and heartbreaking – the murder of sophisticated than the religiously observant. Indeed, he envisioned the young American rabbi, , his Israeli wife, Rivka, and nothing less than a global Jewish renaissance, and set out to make it four others, including a rabbinic colleague. Beards, long coats, modest happen. This was The Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, obm, attire, daily prayers, yes. And people who peacefully express their bot- who reshaped the Jewish landscape and changed it forever. tomless faith through an absolute belief in G-d and the innate good Possessing a formidable intellect and a broad universal education, of mankind and its future; in a world that can and will be perfected he argued that there is no conflict between science and Torah; on the through positive deeds and acts loving-kindness. contrary, true science only compliments Torah. The Rebbe pointed out The twisted, fanatic – indeed Bizarro – minds that could perpetrate the considerable intellectual shortcomings and moral depredations of something like the Mumbai massacre are inured to real-world complex- modern secularism. He dispatched his emissaries to the world’s most ities, like irony and paradox. Indeed, they could not have found a more important cities and leading universities, challenging and engaging confounding target for their hatred of Jews than one of the hundreds modern Jews, especially the young and intellectually open-minded. of Chabad houses around the world for which Holtzberg and his wife served as emissaries. The facility they ran was, to put it simply, a spiritual At first these emissaries, with their exotic dress, were perceived as oddi- service station in a remote outpost – a place with no purpose other than ties. In short order they began to win a following. Within a few decades to offer a helping hand and spiritual embrace to those in need. they had become identified as the Jewish mainstream. Jihadists believe the modern world in all its manifestations is the The Rebbe abrogated the unspoken agreement that religious Jews implacable foe of traditional faith. To their way of thinking, modernism should remain quarantined in their self-imposed ghettos while secular is built on the poisonous concepts of reason, individual liberty, democ- Jews arrogated the right to act as the envoys of the Jewish faith. racy, and pluralism. Like all totalitarians, they demand submission to a single militant idea. Difference contaminates. Reason is sacrilege. The The Rebbe would not be locked in a holy box. More importantly he had eradication of difference and reason is an ends that justifies any means. faith, not only in G-d but in the residual Jewish spark that flickered deep Which brings us back to “Bizarro” versus real – to the unbridgeable in the soul of even the most assimilated Jew. He thought the unthink- divide between two realities that can seem so similar – between abso- able – that such Jews could actually reject their rejectionism and begin lute evil and absolute good. to embrace their Jewish legacy all over again. If ever there were a living retort to the obscenity of jihadi presumptions, In so doing, he brought about the greatest Jewish spiritual renaissance it is the current of that began more than 200 years ago of all time. By the time of his passing, the Rebbe had single-handedly in the Byelorussian village of Liadi. It was here that Schneur Zalman – a reversed the tide of two centuries of assimilation, while winning mas- philosopher Hasidic rabbi – sought to reconcile heart and mind; to sive acceptance of his singular vision. • resolve the roiling controversy then dividing European Jewish society; between those who held to a tradition of scholarship and disciples of Jacob J. Gross is a freelance writer, lecturer and author of numerous books. Continued on page 22

Special Shavous presentation at www.chabadwi.org/Shavous 21 the embryonic Hasidic movement which stressed an emotive religious B"H practice. once only Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi succeeded brilliantly, founding a move- JUDAICA ment – Chabad Lubavitch – that, under the nurturing, guidance and found in New York is now leadership of his descendants and followers has become a global engine available in of good. Today it commands the loyalties of hundreds of thousands of MEQUON. adherents, supporters and admirers around the world. A hallmark of Chabad’s approach is its openness to – indeed an embrace of - the modern world, and its ability to sustain and be nour- ished by profound religious devotion. All over the world, Lubavitcher Hasidim are living precisely the sort of lives the jihadi ideology insists is impossible. Hence the very existence of these Hasidim is the single greatest threat to Islamist fundamentalism. Culturally, Chabad hasidim participate fully in pluralist democracies, while privately, they remain profoundly traditional and spiritual. They remain true to their own long history, and are valued and good neigh- bors to others. Rabbi Schneur Zalman taught his followers that G-d desires the development of their minds no less than their hearts. The fully realized human intellect, he argued, is built on a combination of da’at (knowl- Crown Judaica Located in the Peltz Center for Jewish Life-Lower Level edge), bina (understanding) and chochma (wisdom). 2233 W. Mequon Rd 262-242-9514 crownjudaica.org It is hard to imagine a more stinging defeat for the Mumbai killers than Mon, Tues, Thurs 9 to 4 | Wed 9 to 6 | Fri 9 to 12 |Sun 10 to 12:30 the fact that a movement of faith founded on such an idea has endured in fidelity to its traditions for more than two centuries – and will con- tinue to thrive when, as the old Yiddish expression goes, the names and memories of the murderers have been erased. •

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22 Check out our weekly online magazine at www.chabadwi.org Life After Life On the occasion of the forthcoming eightteenth yahrzeit of the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, OBM, on the 3rd of Tammuz, 5772/June 23, 2012.

what is explained in our (written and THE The soul oral) Torah. Connection Actually, this understanding The Ohel – The Rebbe’s Resting Place Excerpts of a Translated Letter by is to be found in two rulings of During our long journey throughout the Rebbe addressing the bereaved Torah Law which address our actual history, the holy resting places of our and eternal connection of the soul. conduct in these circumstances… righteous forebearers have served as [the law is that] “One must not mourn excessively…one who does spiritual oases in times both joyous and Greetings and Blessings, sad. The gravesites of our patriarchs and so in extreme...” Yet,…” one who I received your letter… in which you matriarchs, as well as that of Mother does not mourn as the sages have write of the passing of you mother, Rachel and King David, are referred to guided us is a callous and cruel obm, and your thoughts and feelings in the Bible and Talmud and Torah’s person.” Now, if in such a case it is in connection to this. esoteric works, as places of prayer, natural to mourn, what’s so terrible The truth is that “none amongst reflection and introspection, and have about one who mourns more? Why us knows anything at all” concerning provided solace to millions throughout the harsh rebuke mentioned in the the ways of G-d, Who created the generations. law? And if to mourn excessively is humans, directs them, and observes One of the more commonly known so terrible, why is it cruel to mourn them with a most specific Divine episodes of seeking out the intervention less? providence. But certainly, certainly, of the Patriarchs is related in the Talmud, The explanation lies in the He is the very essence of good, and, concerning Caleb – one of the twelve concluding words of our sages (as spies sent by Moses to check out the as the expression goes, “it is in the quoted from Maimonides): “One promised land after the Jewish people’s nature of the good to do good.” If, should fear and worry, search one’s exodus from Egypt – who paused in at times, what G-d does is at all not deeds and repent.” Hebron at the graves of the Patriarchs understood by the human mind – It is self-understood that the soul and asked them to arouse heavenly mercy little wonder: What significance has is eternal. Obviously, an illness of to save him from becoming embroiled in a limited, measured, finite creature the flesh or blood cannot terminate the spies’ unfortunate plot. in relation to the infinite and endless, or diminish the life of the soul – and especially in relation to the “the Praying at the Ohel it can only damage the flesh and absolutely Infinite and Endless”? Tod ay, thousands of people from all the blood themselves and the bond Nevertheless, G-d chose to reveal around the world from all walks of between them and the soul. That is life and all shades of the spectrum a fraction of His wisdom to man, to say, it can bring to the cessation of come to the Ohel, the Rebbe, Rabbi to flesh and blood. This He did this bond – death, G-d forbid – and Menachem M. Schneerson’s, of blessed with His holy Torah, called “The with the severing of what binds the memory, resting place, at all hours of Torah of Light” and “The Torah of soul to the flesh, the soul ascends the day and night, to pray to G-d, to ask Life” – that is to say, it illuminates and frees herself of the shackles for intervention, to receive inspiration, man’s path in life in such a manner of the body, of its limitations and blessing and guidance. that even his limited faculties may restrictions. Through the good deeds “The righteous are greater in death comprehend its light. Thus, also in she has performed during the period than during their lifetime,” say our the case of the above-mentioned she was upon earth and within the Sages. Commentaries explain that while occurrence, and the similar, one can body, she is elevated to a higher, freed from their physical limitations, find an understanding – at least a much higher, level than her status they are even more unconstrained in partial one – in accordance with Continued on page 24

Special Shavous presentation at www.chabadwi.org/Shavous 23 their concern for and impact on those of us left down below. Sending a Letter to the Rebbe Similarly, people continue to send letters to be placed at his resting place, for the Rebbe’s intervention On High, in the age-old tradition of leaving written prayer petitions at our holiest sites. Throughout the years, the Rebbe received hundreds of letters every prior to her descent into the body. the object of the mourning period: day from people of every conceivable As the our sages expressed it: The The living need to understand why background, occupation and faith. descent of the soul is a descent for it is that they deserved this loss. This As in the Rebbe’s lifetime, so it is the sake of an ascent, an ascent is why “One should fear and worry, today that stories abound of miraculous above and beyond her prior state. search one’s deeds and repent.” reprieve resulting from a visit to the Ohel. This should come as no surprise From this it is understood that Through this another thing is when we recognize the Rebbe’s life- anyone close to this soul, anyone to attained – the bond between the span as a continuum of spirituality whom she was dear, must appreciate living and the soul who has ascended and holiness. According to our Sages, that the soul has ascended, higher, endures. For the soul is enduring after the tzaddik (a righteous person) even, than the level she was at and eternal, and sees and observes leaves his physical constraints, this only previously; it is only that in our lives, what is taking place with those intensifies. in our world, it is a loss. And just as connected with her and close to Many who remember the Rebbe visit the closer one is to the soul, all the her. Every good deed they do causes the Rebbe’s resting place not only to more precious to them is the soul’s her spiritual pleasure, specifically, pray, but to re-experience the moments elevation, so it is with the second the accomplishments of those she of spiritual elevation they had in the aspect – the intensity of the pain. has educated and raised with the Rebbe’s presence in his lifetime. • For they, all the more so, feel the loss education that bring the said good of her departure from the body and deeds; that is to say, she has a To send a letter to be forwarded to the from life in this world. part in those deeds resulting of the Ohel – [email protected] Also, it is a loss in the sense that education she provided her children – it seems – the soul could have and the ones she influenced. ascended even higher by remaining Since all of the above constitute in this world, as our sages taught directives of our Torah, the wisdom in the Ethics of our Fathers: “One and will of G-d, the fulfillment of moment of repentance and good these directives is part and parcel deeds in this world is preferable to of our service of G-d of which the entire world to come.” it is said “Serve G-d with joy.” Thus, since the occurrence A directive of Torah also serves contains these two conflicting facets as the source of strength which – on the one hand, the freeing of the provides the abilities to carry it soul of the body’s shackles and her out. Consequently, since the Torah ascent to a higher world, the world addresses these instructions to each of truth; on the other, the above- and every individual, it is within the mentioned loss – the result is the capacity of each individual to carry it two rulings. The “Torah of Truth” out – and more so, to carry it out in mandates that one mourn, for the a manner of “Serve G-d with joy.”…. time-period set by our sages. At the In all the above also lies the answer same time, it is forbidden to mourn to your question as to how you can excessively (that is, beyond the set lighten the load, etc. – through a mourning period, and also in regards behavior consistent with the above to the intensity of the mourning verse, with a strong faith in G-d that within these days). you will succeed in this endeavor. As said, the primary cause for May it be the will of G-d that you mourning such an occurrence is the have good tidings concerning all the loss on the part of the living. This is above, open and revealed good. •

24 Check out our weekly online magazine at www.chabadwi.org Save the Date! An UnforgettableEvening

of Song &Spirit

In Tribute to Monday, June 18th 7:30 PM The Rebbe Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory

Whose vision and programs continue to steer Jewish conscience. on the eve of his 18th Yahrzeit, the 3rd of Tammuz/June 23, 2012) Guest Speaker Rabbi Dov Greenberg

Rabbi Dov Greenberg is the executive director of the Rohr at Stanford University. He is a sought after communicator of Jewish thought and spirituality, who has lectured throughout the United States, Israel, Europe and Canada. His essays on contemporary issues appear with regularity in newspapers and are read by many on the internet. Rabbi Greenberg is one of the “online rabbis” of the international askmoses.com.

Songs by Rabbi Levi Emmer joined by the Chassidim At Mequon Center for Jewish Life 2233 W. Mequon Rd. Mequon, WI For more information, please call (414) 961-6100 or email us at [email protected]

Visit the “Jewish.TV” section of Chabad.org - Dov Greenberg to find Rabbi Greenberg’s entertaining, brief insights on key Jewish topics.

Special Shavous presentation at www.chabadwi.org/Shavous 25 What’s Happening at Lubavitch of Wisconsin

Hillel’s Student Art Show

26 Check out our weekly online magazine at www.chabadwi.org Jewish Beginnings Mother’s Day

Special Shavous presentation at www.chabadwi.org/Shavous 27 28 Check out our weekly online magazine at www.chabadwi.org Special Shavous presentation at www.chabadwi.org/Shavous 29 Sweet Tooth for Youth

30 Check out our weekly online magazine at www.chabadwi.org Milwaukee Community Cheder

Special Shavous presentation at www.chabadwi.org/Shavous 31 Adult Education

Chabad of Mequon

32 Check out our weekly online magazine at www.chabadwi.org Jewish Beginnings

Special Shavous presentation at www.chabadwi.org/Shavous 33 after settling down their haggadot. So much fun… Thank you so much for what you gave My two older daughters lobbied hard me today… and Purim… the financial From for us to return for the second night’s part of these generous gifts, of course, Seder, but since…they had to settle for a are so helpful and I hope one day I second night seder at home… can start giving back instead of always our We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves at needing/taking… your home. You have such a way of But more than the money involved, I making us feel welcome and a part of so appreciate the thought … that’s what Mailbox the goings on. We really love being with really keeps me going… you. To all of you who have been so kind and generous, I want to thank you for being there for me, for caring, for doing your best ... Hi Rabbi, Thank you very much for sending me Thank you so much for the funds you I must share with you our daughter, sent me. I cannot tell you how touched I and Leah matzos this Pesach. We used Alana’s experience with Chabad. She has them at our Seder and shared them with was that someone been feeling a little lost in the area of cares about me… our friends. The Hillel sandwich always Judaism lately. She spent all of last fall in tastes better with shmurah matza. It gave an island setting, and now in the home me great pleasure to tell them that my of the church of Scientology. She has Rabbi back home cares so much that he been reaching out to Chabad in Florida, sends them from Milwaukee each year. but it is quite some distance from where Rabbi Shapiro, Your best friend, Eli Bruch she lives, so she has only been able to get As you know, Andrew won’t be coming (Administrative Law Judge, Commission on Human there once for Shabbos. to Gan Israel in Milwaukee this summer Rights, Washington DC) Anyway, yesterday, while at work, a because we are no longer in town, but fellow employee came to her and said you might like to know that I just there was someone there for her and registered Andrew and his younger sister he was dressed strangely, (in a clown Natalie (who will be going to camp To Whom It May Concern: costume). She went to meet him and it for the first time this year!) for Camp Please find the enclosed check for the was Rabbi Hodakov and he had Shaloch Gan Israel in Fairfax, Virginia. Shmurah Matzoh. Use the remaining Manos for her. This made her day. She We would never have considered a Gan for Shmurah Mtazoh to be delivered was in tears Israel camp in a new place, were it not for to families in need. Please only share actually. She was even able to borrow a the outstanding experience Andrew had that the donation is from someone car after work, leaving a half hour early for the three summers he spent at the forwarding a favor bestowed on the and made it to his home literally just camp you run. When told that we are donor. in time to hear the Magillah. They even choosing among the local JCC camp, two I also request that my thanks be delayed it a few minutes in the hope that camps run by Russian language schools, extended to the Jewish Beginnings she would get there for it. and a Gan Israel camp, Andrew did not Lubavitch Preschool for the gift of the Marcus and I want to thank you and all hesitate for a minute before pleading that delicious goodies for Purim. When I of Chabad for all of your outreach. we send him (and Natalie) to Gan was a pre-school aged child my mother Wishing you and all of your family a Israel. Nothing speaks better than that to made an Esther costume for me to wear Good Shabbos. how the kids feel about your camp. during our Temple’s Megillah reading and A huge “thank you” goes to you and we always sounded our graggers at the your amazing staff for the wonderful mention of Haman’s name. program you have going in Milwaukee. SR We only hope the one on Fairfax is half I know my thank yous make you nuts so as good. I won’t bother you over the phone Best wishes for a great summer, and I just want to thank you from the congratulation on the change to the Our family had such a nice time joining bottom of my heart for the yom tov Donges Bay facility. I know many your family’s Seder. We haven’t stopped gift, it’s really amazing to know that families (including many of our friends) talking about how much fun we had someone is looking out for you and appreciate the move to Mequon. … that evening, how impressed we are cares about you personally. Warm regards, with the learning and knowledge of the A & S Seder…We also thought it was absolutely adorable how the kids crashed hard just

34 Check out our weekly online magazine at www.chabadwi.org Shavuos Calendar • 5772/2012

Candle lighting times Blessing Milwaukee Madison Kenosha Green Bay La Crosse Beloit Superior Wausau Eau Claire May 25 # 1* 8:00 8:06 7:59 8:06 8:16 8:03 8:30 8:14 8:21 May 26 #2&3** 9:11 9:17 9:08 9:18 9:28 9:13 9:46 9:27 9:33 May 27 #2&3** 9:12 9:18 9:09 9:19 9:29 9:14 9:47 9:28 9:35 * Do not light after sundown. ** Do not light before the time indicated. Light only from a pre-existing flame. A pre-existing flame is a flame that has been burning continuously since the onset of the festival such as a pilot light, gas or candle flame.

Candle Lighting Blessings SHAVUOS SCHEDULE 1. BO-RUCH A-TOH ADO-NOI E-LO-HEI-NU MELECH HO-OLOM A-SHER KID-ESHO-NU Saturday, May 26 BE-MITZVO-SOV VE-TZI-VONU LE-HAD-LIK • After nightfall, we light Yom Tov NER SHEL SHABBOS KO-DESH. candles from a pre-existing flame Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the universe, who has allowed us through His commandments, (at the time indicated above in the and has commanded us to kindle the lights of the candle lighting schedule) and say holy Sabbath. both blessings. • Like every Shabbos and Jewish 2. BO-RUCH A-TOH ADO-NOI E-LO-HEI-NU ME-LECH HA-OLOM ASHER KID-ESHO-NU festival, we sanctify the day BE-MITZVO-SOV VETZI-VONU LE-HAD-LIK and welcome the festival with NER SHEL YOM TOV. the Kiddush, and the family is Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the universe, treated to a festive meal. who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded to kindle the Yom Tov light. • At night we stay up and recite Tikun Lail Shavuos (see page 14). 3. BO-R UCH A-TOH ADO-NOI E-LO-HEI-NU ME-LECH HO-OLOM SHE-HECHI-YO-NU Sunday, May 27 VE-KI-YE-MO-NU VE-HIGI-O-NU LIZ MAN HA-ZEH. • We attend services in the morning Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the universe, and hear the reading of the Ten who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled Commandments. us to reach this occasion. • After nightfall, we light Yom Tov candles from a pre-existing flame (at the time indicated above in the candle lighting schedule) and say both blessings. • Once more, we recite Kiddush in the evening and the family is seated to partake in a festive meal.

Monday, May 28 • Yizkor is recited during the Yom Tov morning services, in remembrance of the deceased.

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Celebration! Shavuos Guide 5772 / 2012

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