The World of Lubavitch

A publication of -Lubavitch, Toronto SEPTEMBER 2021 Vol. 47 No. 2 (156) TISHREI 5782 Remaining One People Despite Our Differences By Tzvi Freeman What do you do if you’re celebrating and rejoicing with friends, and the man who opposes you in your greatest life-bat- tles turns up at the party? This was Simchat , 1975, at Chabad-Lubavitch Head- quarters, . Thousands of Lubavitchers were packed in tight, along with anyone else who wished to witness the most joyous hakafot in the world on the most joyous day of the year. synagogue were frantically attempting to bring some order to the ceremony, while seeking out the contingent that would come every year from the Israeli consulate. That’s when they saw Haim Cohn. And they didn’t know what to do. This was just the wrong man at the wrong party. Wrong Man, Wrong Place Who was Haim Cohn? To Israelis, he is still known as one of the major architects of Israeli law, a great man of thought, and as a champion of human rights. Indeed, he was in New York for the United Na- tions general assembly, representing in the Human Rights Commission. But Haim Cohn was also well known for his concerned the Israeli State. Cohn came from a family of deeply religious Torah schol- ars in Lübeck, . In 1929, at the age of eighteen, Cohn set out for , where he studied under Rabbi , who he came to greatly admire, and at the Hebrew University. He returned to Europe to complete his degree in law at the University of Frankfurt, marrying there a young woman who was not interested in religion. After returning to the Holy Land with the rise of the Third Reich in 1933, he gradually turned not just away from, but against Torah Judaism, actively opposing the rabbis, both as an authority of Israeli law and as a member of the T’hila Move- ment for Israeli Jewish secularism. “The Elisha ben Avuya of our generation,” was the title given him by Rabbi Tzvi Yehuda Kook, son and protégé of his former mentor. Elisha ben Avuya was a brilliant sage of the Talmud, the teacher of Rabbi Meir, who had turned to heresy. Smoke rose from his grave, the Talmud tells, for well over a hundred years—and that was after the sages prayed for mercy on his soul. “Because he knew G d’s greatness and yet rebelled.” America for a secular marriage to a woman who had been pre- viously married—an act that spurred the fury of rabbis in Israel. By Torah law, a descendant of Aaron, such as Haim Cohn, is forbidden to marry a divorcée. But perhaps what concerned the gabbaim most was Haim Cohn’s role in the “Who Is a Jew” controversy. This was a topic the had addressed incessantly for - inable that compromise on such a core issue posed an existential Shofar on the Corner.com danger to the Jewish nation. Haim Cohn, on the other hand, as The most important observance of a Justice of the , stood his ground that Rosh HaShana is listening to the sound Jewishness, for the state, is a social construct, and anyone who blasts of the Shofar. Due to the pandemic and the numerous restrictions and regula- as a Jew. tions imposed, many people may not be at- The gabbaim who beheld this man standing before them tending Shul this year. While prayers under knew well the controversy, indeed, the outright condemnation prevailing conditions may be recited in sol- in many quarters that would arise if they gave him any part in itude, not everyone has access to a Shofar the ceremony. Small wonder they stalled. nor are they familiar with its intricate laws The Weight of Torah and customs of sounding the Shofar. But the Rebbe noted the hesitation of the gabbaim and pro- As always, in response to a need and tested. concern, Chabad Lubavitch will be hosting “A Jew wants to take on the yoke of Torah,” he chided them, OUTDOOR gatherings for the sounding of “and you won’t give it to him?” the Shofar on both days of Rosh Hashana. verse of the ceremony and said something to a gabbai, who then Rosh HaShana are September 7th and 8th called out, “We hereby honor the illustrious Justice of the Su- and on both days we are required to hear preme Court, Reb Haim haKohen, with the verse, Continued on page 11 Continued on page 3 Page 2 World of Lubavitch SEPTEMBER 2021 The Easy Mitzvah human state. the mitzvah of dwelling in Thus, a person’s the sukkah? One should eat, drink, and live in the sukkah, both day and night, as one spends within its walls. Also lives in one’s house on the A Closer Look at the when he is at work, visiting other days of the year: for with friends or taking a stroll seven days a person should Mitzvah of Sukkah in the park, it is as the owner make his home his temporary of this particular home that dwelling, and his sukkah his he works, visits or strolls. permanent dwelling Since his very humanity is Shulchan Aruch, Orach incomplete without it, it is Chaim 639:1 part and parcel of everything G-d says... “I have one he does. easy mitzvah, and sukkah is For the seven days that we its name” make the sukkah our home, it Talmud, Avodah Zarah 3a comes to form an integral part “In sukkot you shall dwell of our identity. Everything for seven days,” instructs the distributes charity, the mind of our persona, the mitzvah of G-d is best understood in we do, including what we Torah, “...in order that your that ponders the wisdom of sukkah provides a medium by do outside of the sukkah, is generations shall know that Torah, the heart that soars which the totality of man is “home” to the human being. included in the “connection” I made the children of Israel in prayer, the throat that Our sages point out how with G-d achieved by this dwell in sukkot when I took swallows the matzah eaten on G-d’s will. All of the person deeply rooted is man’s desire mitzvah. them out of the land of Egypt.” enters into and lives in the for a home. The desire for a Easy as Life Our sages, noting the all become instruments of the sukkah. “Sukkah is the only home is much more than the Now we might understand Torah’s use of the verb “to divine will. There are mitzvot mitzvah into which a person need for shelter and security. why the mitzvah of sukkah is dwell” in the above verses, for each limb, organ and enters with his muddy boots,” The satisfaction of these G-d’s “easy” mitzvah. faculty of man, and mitzvot goes the Chassidic saying. needs alone, without a plot of A person can approach as a commandment that, for governing every area of life, For the seven days of Sukkot, land to call one’s own, does the duration of the festival so that no part of us remains the sukkah is our home--the not satisfy the craving for a commandments in one of two of Sukkot (Tishrei 15 to 21), uninvolved in our relationship environment for our every home. The Talmud goes so far ways: the sukkah is to become with the Creator. endeavor and activity. as to say that “One who does a) As a duty. Such an our primary dwelling place. Therein lies the Man and Turf not possess a homestead is not individual sees the purpose of Everything ordinarily done in uniqueness of the mitzvah of The specialty of the a man.” The need for a home his life in the realization of his the home should be done in sukkah. While other mitzvot sukkah as an all-embracing is intrinsic to the soul of man own personal ambitions. At the sukkah. each address a certain aspect medium of connection with Continued on page 12 So every autumn, just as the weather is turning inhospitable, we move outdoors. For a full week, we exchange our regular home for a home which leaves us at the mercy of the elements, demonstrating our trust in G-d’s providence and protection, as our ancestors did when “following Me in the wilderness, in an uncultivated land.” Dwelling in the sukkah for seven days is a beautiful and inspiring experience; however, one would hardly The Great Squeeze describe it as “easy.” Yet this is the mitzvah singled out by Rabbi Yanki Tauber transform a mouthful of air His and our exile, which is Already, this cosmic pinch the Talmud as G-d’s “easy What do a garden hose into a piercing note. far more painful to Him than has wrung from the Jewish mitzvah”! nozzle, a rocket, a hydraulic (As for this article, it’s it is to us. Nevertheless, even soul wells of talent and The Commanding power plant, a shofar, and being written three hours as we refuse to accept the creativity, and depths of faith Connection this article have in common? before deadline, though travesty of galut, we should and commitment, that in the “Mitzvah,” the Torah’s They all operate on the Pinch whether the Pinch Principle still exploit its positive good old broad days were word for the divine precepts Principle. will work in this case remains dividends. only implicit in its potential. which guide and govern Simply stated, the to be seen.) The Jewish soul, a divine May we soon merit every aspect of our lives from Pinch Principle works like The High Holiday expanse of goodness and the great shofar blast of the moment of birth to one’s this: take something with season comes on the heels light, has been squeezed Moshiach, and the great last living breath, has a dual potential that is currently of a stretch of the Jewish into the narrow straits of moment of the soul’s meaning: the word means calendar which the prophet galut. Imagine what will bursting free of the strictures in a narrow space, squeeze calls “Between the Narrows” come out at the other end! of galut. both “commandment” and it through an even narrower (Bein Hametzarim). On the “connection.” passage, and presto! you 17th of Tammuz, the walls In commanding us the can send a spray of water of Jerusalem were breached The World of Lubavitch Chabad Lubavitch of Ontario mitzvot, G-d created the clear across your lawn or a by the Roman legions A Publication of HaRav Dovid Schochet Rabbi Yossi Hecht means through which we Chabad-Lubavitch Spiritual Leader Chabad of Aurora missile to the moon, light up besieging the city; twenty- 770 Chabad Gate Rabbi Z. Aaron Grossbaum Rabbi Mendel Kaplan Executive Vice-President may establish a connection Thornhill, Ontario Chabad @ Flamingo a small city in California, or one days later, on the 9th of Rabbi Sholom Ber Bakshi with Him. The hand that L4J 3V9 Rabbi Yisroel Landa Av, the Holy Temple was set Chabad of Woodbridge Israeli Community Services (905) 731-7000 Rabbi Vidal Bekerman Rabbi Sholom Lezel www.chabad.ca On Rosh Hashana, in the Hafto- Chabad at York Chabad of the Beaches ON OUR COVER spawned twenty centuries Editor: Rabbi Mendel Bernstein Rabbi Mendel Nakkar rah, we read that “Rachel cries for her Chabad of Richmond Hill Rabbi Moshe Spalter Chabad of Barrie children and refuses to be consoled of galut -- of physical Rabbi Tzali Borenstein for they are exiled.” Rabbi Avrohom E. Plotkin persecution and spiritual Associate Editor: Chabad of Durham Chabad of Markham G-d responds: “Still your voice Rabbi Z.A. Grossbaum Rabbi Mendel Chaikin from crying and the tears from your alienation for our people. Rabbi Chanoch Rosenfeld Advertising: Chabad of Downtown Chabad of Hamilton eyes for there is reward for your ef- Today, these two dates Rabbi Nechemia Deitsch forts and they will return from the Rabbi Moshe Spalter Rabbi Mordechai Silberberg stand as markers of national Chabad of Midtown Chabad of London lands of their enemies.” Typesetting: Rabbi Yechezkel Deren Rabbi Yisroel Simon Our sages tell us that Rachel tragedy, with all the pain Tamar Shuchat Chabad of Maple Chabad of Kingston was not buried in the Double Cave in Rabbi Yoseph S. Gansburg and frustration of our galut Circulation: 5500 Rabbi Yitzchok Slavin Hebron, together with the other Ma- Education Chabad of Mississauga compressed into “The Three Subscriptions: $10 yearly triarchs and Patriarchs, but on the side Rabbi Levy Gansburg Rabbi Moshe S. Spalter of the road in Bethlehem, so that when Weeks” they enclose. $5 per copy Chabad Bayview York Mills Administrator & Media the Jewish people were exiled, pass- Rabbi Menachem Gansburg The Lubavitcher Rebbe FALL 2021 Rabbi Moshe E. Steiner ing by her gravesite, she would pray Chabad on the Avenue Chabad of Uptown on their behalf and elicit from G-d his would always say that Rabbi Moshe Goldman Rabbi Rafi Steiner promise to redeem them. we cannot, must not, dare We cannot take Chabad of Waterloo Chabad of Guelph Rosenstein captures this poi- responsibility for the Rabbi Yitzchak Grossbaum Kashruth of the items Rabbi Yoseph Y. Zaltzman not, explain the galut. G-d Camp Gan Israel Russian Community Services gnant prayer rising up from the iconic advertised in this Kever Rochel and breaking through does not need our help as publication. Rabbi Mendel Grossbaum Rabbi Zalman Zaltzman any obstacles to reach into the heav- “defense lawyers” to justify Chabad of Newmarket Chabad of Niagara ens. Rabbi Shmuel Grossbaum “The Prayer of Rachel” For more of Yossi Rosenstein’s His ways; we do Him a Chabad of the East Side by Yossi Rosenstein greater service by pleading and clamoring for an end to 3

Camp Gan Israel Enriches Shofar on the Corner.com Continued from page 1 tion and time closest to your home. Maryland Farming Community the Shofar. This service will be adver- It’s a tradition that began Additionally, the very act that found reason for the upheaval. The designated spots are in tised on 680 News during the in 1978, when the Lubavitcher the was to be printed in so A few weeks into the boys ses- close proximity to all major in- week before Rosh Hashana in Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. many locations would further the son, medical supervisor, Avremel tersections along Bathurst St. order to reach as many people Schneerson, of righteous memo- goal of having the wellsprings of Okounev, from New Haven, CT, and numerous other locations as possible. The ad campaign is ry, called for the printing of the realized that a Tanya was never as well. Please visit ShofarOn- graciously sponsored by Steeles Tanya all over the world. This part of the earth and would help printed in the city of Darlington. TheCorner.com, for the loca- Memorial Chapel. philosophical treatise penned by usher in the Final Redemption as - Rabbi Scheur Zalman of the Moshiach himself revealed to presents the basic tenets of Chas- the Baal Shem Tov in a prophetic facilitated and expedited the sidic thought and practice. Since dream. entire procedure. “The success Lubavitch Day Camp And so began a campaign of this monumental endeavour in the year 1757 by the famed to print the Tanya in every lo- would not have occurred with- Slavita Publishing House, more cale where Jews live and can be out him,” Avremel emphatically Exceeds Expectations than 7000 editions have rolled found. stated. Avremel then went ‘full This year Lubavitch Day pool. Notwithstanding the off the presses around the globe. “While country after coun- steam’ ahead, raised the money, Camp took on a new appear- logistical quagmire of trans- During the last 50 years, the mag- try was being covered, there got the printing presses rolling ance and seemed to mimic portation, especially this year num opus of the founding father were some locations that need- and had the sacred text bound in Monsey, NY. Within three days the look and feel of overnight with the buses half full, there the project was executed with the camping. In keeping with Covid protocol, each unit as- CGI head staff. The launch of this initiative was celebrated and honoured Mrs. Esther Grossbaum who spent considerable time at camp - lected Torah verses were recited by the campers followed by, Avremel Okounev’s introduction Tanyas and the Rebbe’s request to print wherever possible. “We are camping in the 7,731st city where a Tanya is being printed, to Moshiach’s arrival, Avremel noted.” He recalled his fond memories as a camper when a Tanya was printed in Haliburton. Cheers and clapping ensued as of Chabad, has been translated ed unique attention due to their Avremel told the assembled that from the original text in Hebrew delicate circumstances,” relates each person will receive a Tanya. to Yiddish, English, Spanish, Rabbi Sholom Jacobson, who He then introduced the camp sumed its own identity by Wonderland and a trip to Wed French, and Russian, and more. has coordinated the campaign for Rabbi, Menachem Schechter of sticking together as a cohort n’ Wild. Keeping the children decades. “In the case of Commu- Chicago who taught a passage unto itself. Although there fed and hydrated, presented its at least 100 copies should be nist China, the government cen- from the freshly printed pages. were no sagging bunk houses, own set of novel initiative that sors refused to allow the Tanya’s Staff and campers eagerly each group enjoyed their own included boxed lunches and themselves, and that the local publication without their review. awaited the closing Gala Banquet designated sheltered space individually packaged snacks. community should actually avail Upon the Rebbe’s instruction to when they were gifted a freashly under a canopy tent. And to The CIT division, in addi- themselves to the freshly print- Rabbi Fishel Katz [a traveling bound copy. “This edition of create the “personal respon- tion to an exciting tailored pro- ed edition and study from the businessman who printed many Tanya was dedicated in honour sibilty” feel each camper was gram, dedicated time to study “home grown” sacred text. But editions of Tanya at the Rebbe’s of the Antebi and Cohen Fami- gifted a belly bag which con- CPR and First Aid. In addition it was more than just a learning behest], they were given an Eng- lies of Toronto and the Gorowitz tained a hand sanitizer, a per- to the formal manual learning, campaign, he explained. Rather, lish translation of the Tanya, and Family from CA, who graciously sonalized LDC facemask and the participants also received the Rebbe said the fact that the - and generously contributed funds necklace band. visual hands on training from Tanya was printed in their own ing was approved and allowed to to help ascertain that CGI To- There was constant ex- hometown would bring holiness move forward.” ronto could once again provide a citement with many special For many campers, the to the environment, elevate the Well, if Covid brought Camp meaningful and enjoyable sum- mundane, and encourage the re- Gan Israel of Haliburton to Dar- mer for the campers and staff,” outdoor activities such as most outstanding feature LDC siding Jews to study and explore lington, MD, most certainly there said Camp Director Rabbi Yitz- yoga, archery, drumming, and this summer was the success- the text. was a deeper and spiritually pro- chok Grossbaum. Tae Kwando. A new feature at ful re-integration into a social LDC this year was the intro- structure from the chaotic duction of silent disco head- and isolation school year . In phones that had the campers planning the summer and at dancing to their “own drum- the camp staff meetings, camp mer” by choosing their pre- director Mrs. Esty Steinmetz ferred personalized tune, beat, stressed the importance of be- and rhythm. Indeed, a sight to ing extra sensitive to some of behold; a full room of dancing the unforeseen challenges and youngster while silence pre- discipline issues which may vailed in the room. arise as a result of the school With a capped enrollment closing. As the summer pro- the campers were able to en- gressed noticeable improve- joy more time at our spacious ments were clear to be seen. Page 4 World of Lubavitch SEPTEMBER 2021

Construction Camp Gan Israel Completes About to Begin Another Successful Season Finally, after many years designated “foot print,” the “When life gives you lem- of planning, consultation, building, with frontage on the ons, make lemonade,” this cliché public hearing, and review, Lonny Court cul-de-sac, will summarizes the trials and tri- Chabad Lubavitch is about to umph of Camp Gan Israel circa begin construction on an ad- Access to the upper levels 2021. Although vaccinations had ditional 13,000 sq. ft. build- will be from a separate and curtailed the spread of covid, and ing at the south east corner independent entrance on the society was slowly coming back of our 3 acre site. While the opposite side. The eight large to normal, Health Ontario was preliminary process may have activity rooms above will pro- reluctant and hesitated to “Green been more cumbersome and vide much needed space for light” overnight camps until the month of June, merely days be- time consuming, the demand- the citywide Lubavitch Day fore the scheduled opening. The ing provincial standards are in Camp and the Friendship Cir- protracted announcement and place to protect the environ- cle. the long awaited protocol was of ment and focus on sustain- The much needed added no value to Yitzchak and Goldy space will allow us to enhance Grossbaum, directors of our much emphasis is placed on the program and projects on overnight camp in picturesque accessibility, necessitating behalf of special needs chil- Haliburton. In order to provide a many additional features to dren. A large room is being - accommodate those with mo- designed as sensory space. ingful experience day after day, for girls in July and then boys in sense. Throughout our lifetime bility limitations. This would This therapeutic area will fea- outdoors, and at the pool, the we are all in transit. Wherever August, the work begins while campers, counselors, and staff all include every detail from ture a variety of equipment there is still snow on the ground. we travel, whether for business need to eat three times each day, or pleasure, it is ordained from parking, entry, and access and components that provides Indeed, preparations and plan- hence a well equipped kitchen is to every part of the facility. youngsters with special needs ning for the upcoming year begin Heaven, with the intent of bring- needed to prepare one thousand ing holiness down to our sur- soon after the campers board the meals each day. So too, Kosher buses to return home and the staff rounding at our destination. This food purveyors needed to be is certainly highlighted in camp leave to recuperate at the end of found and engaged who would the summer. where the youngsters are encour- be agreeable to supply and ship. aged to be at their best for prayer, Last spring just after the Still, pots, pans, cutlery, and lockdown was lifted, health of- cooking utensils, virtually the en- trips to places of interest. Still, tire kitchen, save for the sink and operate, but with strict and strin- notwithstanding being cognizant stove had to be imported from of the Master plan, we certainly gent guidelines. But no allow- the Haliburton campsite to farm ance or consideration was given look forward to being back home country Darlington. The good next summer in Haliburton and to overnight camps. This year news is the kids had a blast, not- Yitzchak and Goldy waited with draw down holiness in our own withstanding the heat and humid- back yard! bated breath, month after month ity common to this region. for government guidance with re- Indeed, from a philosophi- spect to opening overnight camp cal perspective the move made

draft of the drawings. Naturally the implementation personalized sensory input of these features is of utmost and help them stay calm and importance and provides the focused. The Friendship Cir- infrastructure to create an in- cle which we launched some clusive setting where all feel 15 years ago, provides a cir- welcome. cle of support where all par- The primary objective is to build a “state of the art” gain a friend and widen their free standing Women’s Mik- orbit, the teenage volunteers vah with spacious and ample come to recognize that they prep suites for the growing can make a difference, and the for this summer, but regrettably number of users. One of the parents are offered a respite the regulators remained uncom- The Campers, Counselors, Staff, seven prep rooms will be and an opportunity to network mitted until June. But with an enrollment that brought campers and Administration of constructed and fashioned to with others. from all over the world a deci- The Sidney & Naomi Spiegel accommodate mobility chal- “We are exceptionally ea- sion had to be made no later than lenged patrons. So too, the ger to begin construction and April. Being cognizant of the Camp Gan Israel, Haliburton spacious immersion room complete the external frame impact overnight camping has extend our heartfelt and sincere condolences to will include an electronic self- before the onset of winter,” on youngsters, especially with operating arm lift. said Rabbi Grossbaum, spear- a camper clientele that included the family of Mr. Sidney Spiegel. We will forever In order to maximize the heading the project. many youngsters from distant remember his keen interest, unstinting generosity, and isolated communities, the administration was committed to and hands-on involvement to establish, safeguard operate the camp under any and - all circumstance. They could not disappoint the campers and staff derful oasis where children strengthen their body again, and were keenly aware of and nurture their soul. on overnight camping. Chabad Lubavitch of Southern Ontario After much soul searching it was decided that it was of utmost importance to open in light of all the hardships we, and especially youngsters endured. By mid February when there was still no guidance from medi- looked bleak, the directors began searching for a suitable campsite south of the 49th parallel. After visiting a few cities and sites and in light of the limited options, Yitzchak and Goldy settled on a site (under duress) in Darlington, MD. Despite the huge costs, and the challenges this would present “they forged ahead” with convic- tion and determination. While much camp activity is conducted 5 Moment of Silence Bill Signed Into Law in Florida By Mendel Super June and community center’s rabbi meaningful dialogue with 17, 2021 and executive director. their children. While par- ents often pack a sandwich A Florida law that requires in motion after Baxley met for their child’s lunch, he ex- a one- to two-minute Moment in 2019 with Rabbi Shneur plained, they must also send of Silence at the start of each Zalman Oirechman—co-di- them off with “spiritual food.” day in public schools was rector with his wife, Chanie, “Knowing that school signed into law by Gov. Ron of Chabad-Lubavitch of the time is devoted to education,” In New Jersey, DeSantis. Panhandle—at the Capitol the Rebbe explained in a 1986 The law, which was passed building in Tallahassee. After address, “the child realizes by the Florida Legislature meeting the rabbi, Baxley dis- that the moment of silence Three Generations of in April, prohibits teachers cussed the proposal with Rab- must be dedicated to the most from making suggestions to bi Yossi Hecht, co-director of important things in his life: students about what to think Chabad-Lubavitch of Ocala, his outlook on life, and his be- Firstborns “Redeemed” about or do during the Mo- which Baxley represents, and lief in the Creator and Ruler of A Pidyon Haben’ ceremony ment of Silence, and instead resolved to sponsor a bill en- the world—as per the instruc- turned out to be a multi-gener- a pidyon haben himself. “I encourages parents or guard- shrining a Moment of Silence tions which his parents will ational affair was raised traditionally,” ex- ians to discuss with their chil- into law. give him.” By Mendel Super plains Mandler, “I had a brit, dren how the student can best Fine sees the bill as a non- Indeed, research cited by Michael and Hannah Man- but we never did a pidyon ha- utilize the moment of silence. denominational effort regard- the Centers for Disease Con- ben.” Mandler’s family, Ar- “It’s something that’s im- less of faith or background: trol and Prevention (CDC) had another less common mitz- gentine émigrés to the United portant to be able to provide shows that increased par- vah to do after circumcising States, settled in Albuquerque, each student the ability, every this time to be centered before ent engagement in schools their bundle of joy, whom they the beginning of the day.” is linked with better student to be able to pray as they see Oirechman’s work on the behavior, higher academic - bill was directly inspired by achievement and enhanced ing ceremony. the Rebbe—Rabbi Menachem social skills. The new law, which took M. Schneerson, of righteous The Florida Moment of Si- effect on July 1, will be in memory—who was a long lence bill reads, in part: “ ... in place by the start of the school time champion of moral edu- today’s hectic society too few year. Until now Florida law cation in schools, both public persons are able to experience permitted, but did not require, and private, noting that while - that schools set aside up to schools must obviously teach tion before plunging headlong two minutes each day or each basic general education, they into the activities of daily life. week to give students the op- have an imperative to imbue Young persons are particular- portunity for silent prayer or moral values in their students ly affected by the absence of meditation. as well. an opportunity for a moment Newborn Zev Mordechai Mandler, center, with his father, Michael Mandler During hearings in both Beginning in 1983, the - and (at right) grandfather Raul Mandler, who all took part in “pidyon haben” Florida Houses earlier this Rebbe spoke increasingly ceremonies conducted by Rabbi Aryeh Weinstein, left, a kohen, and Rabbi Yitzchak Goldenberg, spiritual leader of the Young Israel of Lawrenceville, year, proponents asserted that about the concept of a Mo- society as a whole, would be N.J., and co-director of Chabad of Lawrenceville. a Moment of Silence—cur- ment of Silence in America’s well served if students in the rently mandated in 15 states schools in the face of rising public schools were afforded had named Zev Mordechai. acquainted with Chabad at and on the books in dozens crime rates and societal dys- a moment of silence at the be- They had to redeem their Chabad of New Mexico, led more—can be effective in function across the nation. ginning of each school day.” by Rabbi Chaim and Devorah giving children an opportunity “The Rebbe passionately A moment alone with a ceremony known as pidyon Leah Schmukler. for introspection and contem- encouraged a Moment of Si- haben, or the redemption of the But it was when he met his one’s thoughts disconnected plation in a chaotic world. lence in all public schools,” from technology is perhaps wife, Hannah, from an obser- The Moment of Silence said Oirechman. “He spoke Redeem their own son? vant New Jersey family that he more important than ever; a bill was sponsored in the of how it will put society on a 2013 study commissioned The ritual harks back to the began to become more familiar House by Rep. Randy Fine better path by giving children with the traditions. “I love my by Nokia showed that on (R-Palm Bay) and in the the awareness of something average, people check their been designated to serve as Ko- son more than the money,” he greater than themselves.” hanim, or priests, in the Holy chuckles, “of course, I wanted Senate by state Sen. Dennis phones every six minutes—or Temple. After the privilege was to redeem him!” Baxley (R-Ocala), and passed Better Behavior, Academ- 150 times a day. bestowed exclusively upon the Mandler’s father, Raul, both Houses with overwhelm- ic Achievement and Social Sen. Victor Torres (D-Kis- descendants of Aaron the High wasn’t going to make it to the ing bipartisan support. Skills simmee), a supporter of the ceremony, but at the last minute, “Who knows what may Highlighting the univer- bill, recalled observing a Mo- symbolically redeemed from a plans changed, and it turned out be changed simply because sal nature of the proposal, the ment of Silence as a child in Kohen 31 days following his he would be attending. That’s the children of Florida will Rebbe insisted that parents New York. “I feel that it gives birth—or any time after, if he when Michael realized there have the opportunity of quiet be the ones who instruct their the teacher and the students a hadn’t been redeemed on time. would be a third generation be- children regarding what to re- - The Mandlers, new to ing redeemed that day: Raul, signing, which took place at ever religion you believe in, Lawrenceville, N.J., con- The Shul of Bal Harbour, Fla. Silence—and not the school that’s your right,” he said. tacted Rabbi Yitzchak Gold- On June 2, a warm sum- and was hosted by Rabbi Sha- or the teachers—providing enberg, spiritual leader of the mer’s day, Lawrenceville made lom B. Lipskar, the synagogue parents with a framework for Young Israel of Lawrenceville history not once, but three synagogue and co-director of times, as three generations of Chabad of Lawrenceville with Mandlers were redeemed in an his wife, Dina. age-old rite, in exchange for “We’d never celebrated a pidyon haben in our commu- “My Israelite wife has nity,” Goldenberg tells Chabad. org. In fact, according to Young Michael informed the Kohen, Israel’s president, Charles Mill- Rabbi Weinstein. “Which would you rather synagogue’s half-century his- tory. For Goldenberg, the tim- obligated to give me for the re- ing couldn’t have been better. “Our community hadn’t come son?” asked Weinstein. together since the pandemic, and this presented the perfect son,” declared Michael (much opportunity.” Together with the to his wife Hannah’s relief), Mandlers, they planned an out- door, community-wide barbe- which are required of me for cue to mark the occasion. the redemption.” Goldenberg recruited his The symbolic exchange colleague Rabbi Aryeh Wein- carries special meaning to Mi- stein, adult-education director chael. “It’s a choice you make,” at Lubavitch of Bucks County, he muses. “To me, it’s about PA., to serve as the Kohen from valuing your child more than whom the baby would be re- material possessions. These tra- deemed. ditions are so important to carry As the day neared, Michael on; we need to be the spirit of Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida after signing the state’s Moment of Silence bill into law, at Chabad’s The Shul. Mandler realized that he, as a Judaism.” Page 6 World of Lubavitch SEPTEMBER 2021 Grandaughter Named for Surfside Victim Alongside IDF Officer Who Located Body

By Menachem Shlomo

found the body of Itty Ain- sworth and her husband, Tzvi, in the building col- Wimbledon Rabbi lapse in Surfside, Fla., stood by the Torah scroll Serves Up a Brief Guide on Thursday as her grand- daughter was named after her. for Humanity When IDF Col. Golan By Menachem Posner Vach paid a visit to the shi- Sometimes, the deepest and va of the Ainsworth family, most important messages are his main goal was to assure found in the simplest of pack- ages. Bearing just the word them that based on the body “One” on its cover, a small that he had located, Itty and booklet of 40 pages released in Tzvi Ainsworth had died on the United Kingdom has been impact and had not suffered. widely shared, bringing with While he was there, it a vision for a universal code that every human being can however, he also partook in adhere to. Its lessons, all short an uncommon event. and easily relatable, are based When he arrived, the on the Seven Noahide Laws, family was preparing to Judaism’s creed for humanity. mark the naming of a baby The booklet and compan- girl, who was born to Itty’s ion website, oneuniversalcode. ‘Yes, dear’, ‘I’m sorry’ and org, are the brainchild of Rabbi son Dovy and his wife, ‘I love you’ are great words. Sheva, on the day before IDF Col. Golan Vach receives an to the Torah, as Dovy Ainsworth, Nissan Dovid Dubov, director Under “Time,” it offers: center, and other family members look on. of Chabad Lubavitch in Wim- The world says, ‘time is the building fell on June 24. money’. In truth time is life. Traditionally, baby girls are author and lecturer. named with a special prayer org, referring to Itty’s full building in order to help Written during the extended Life is too short to waste. coronavirus lockdowns in the Gossip, envy, anger and following the Torah read- Yiddish name. “The cele- with the desperate and he- unfounded criticism all waste ing on Monday, Thursday bration is a reminder of how roic rescue mission. A week United Kingdom, the rabbi says valuable time. he had been toying with and re- A day with some good in it or Shabbat. It is customary life goes on. How there is later, he was part of the is a day used well. among Ashkenazic Jews to joy despite tragedy.” team who found and identi- His involvement with the We all juggle with priorities name children after loved The rabbi also explained Noahide Laws began when he — make time for what is truly ones who have passed on. On Sunday, the Israeli was pursuing advanced rabbin- important. ic studies in 1987 in Brooklyn, To thank Vach for his message to the day the baby unit bade farewell to their Use your time well — make team’s efforts in locating N.Y. He, together with Rabbi every day count. was named. fellow rescue workers be- Levi Garelik, was called to a In addition to English, the and identifying the bodies “The section of Tanya fore their return home. The meeting with Rabbi Dr. Nissan book has thus far appeared in of the parents of seven, he that was learned on the group received an emotional Mindel, author and senior aide German, Italian, Portuguese, was called to the Torah for day the baby was named send-off with the mayor of of the Rebbe—Rabbi Men- Spanish and Russian. A Chi- achem M. Schneerson, of righ- the prayer that announces Miami-Dade County, Dani- teous memory. nese version is currently in the the new baby’s name. from the Zohar: ‘Weeping ella Levine Cava, thanking “Rabbi Mindel told us that The rabbi is open about the “It is with deep gratitude is lodged in one side of my them for their help. he was working on a guide to fact that the book is sourced in that I share the birth and heart, and joy is lodged in “Miami-Dade County the seven laws, and he needed Jewish tradition. Yet, he reports naming of our daughter, Itta the other side of my heart,’ ” and the Town of Surfside us to research the relevant texts and sources,” recalls Rabbi that he has received very posi- (Itty) Ainsworth, named af- said Tennenhaus. “I shared will never ever forget what tive feedback from a diverse ter my mother, a’h,” the ba- that with the family—that you have done for us here,” Dubov. “He told us that the range of religious leaders, who Rebbe had said it was a three- see their beliefs and traditions by’s father wrote on Face- the joy is not compromised she said. day project. We got to work and within its teachings. book. “My daughter should because of the tragedy and Videos show the crowd discovered that the literature At the vaunted champion- follow in my mother’s ways, that G-d grants us the op- singing “Ani Ma’amin” was so vast and spread out, it ships that took place in his town connecting deeply with so portunity to experience both as the unit walks through could take three years.” of Wimbledon this summer, the Based on the Rebbe’s reac- many around the world in a emotions simultaneously.” the street. The song details rabbi is glad to report that the positive, uplifting and spiri- tion to their work (which was thousands of tennis spectators Vach, who led Israel’s one of ’ 13 never published), as well as that had the opportunity to consume tual way.” National Rescue Unit, ar- principles of Jewish faith: of others, he understood that it something more substantive The father of the baby rived in Miami following the belief in the coming of was important to make sure that also shared his gratitude for the Seven Noahide Laws do not than strawberries and cream: the collapse of the 12-story Moshiach. become regarded as a religion their own complimentary copy Vach. of “One.” “We were honored to of their own, but serve as basic Paper and ebook copies moral and ethical guidelines can be purchased online at: - that anyone could embrace and oneuniversalcode.org. sponsible for my parents adopt as guiding principles in search efforts attend at the their lives. After writing, revising and Torah reading and nam- rethinking, the rabbi distilled ing ceremony,” he wrote. his work into 30 short, uplift- “Thank you Col. Golan ing teachings. Laid out in an Vach and the IDF, who aesthetically pleasing manner, have been critically help- they read more like poetry than instruction and are eminently ful and comforting through digestible. this process. Col. Vach is a special soul we will never For example, the entry ti- forget.” tled “Relationships” reads: Itty’s brother-in-law, Seek a partner who offers Rabbi Raphael Tennenhaus, love, respect and works on their self-improvement. director of Chabad of South Intimacy is a relationship of Broward in Hallandale the soul. Beach, Fla., presided over Lasting relationships are the service. founded on the qualities of “I was the gabbai, and loyalty, trust, commitment The short and easily relatable les- at her father’s instruction, I and unconditional love. sons in “One” by Rabbi Nissan You can’t change others, Dovid Dubov are based on the Seven gave the baby the name Itta but you can change yourself. Noahide Laws, Judaism’screed for after my late sister-in-law,” Appreciate what you have. humanity. Tennenhaus told Chabad. 7 Eight Teens Awarded For Remarkable Leadership By Ashira Weiss buckle of the Bible Belt, child of Russian immigrant What do an eighteen- felt lonely as she declined parents who chose Calgary, year-old Canadian political invitations to church and Alberta as home. He attends activist, an altruistic seven- Friday night football games a large public high school teen-year-old Parisian, and and parties, and excused where there are just tens of herself from school on Jew- Jewish students. “I thought American teen have in com- ish holidays. So, along with it was too bad that they had mon? They were all crowned her Rabbi and Rebbetzin, nothing Jewish going on winners of CTeen’s inau- Gaby founded a CTeen club in their lives,” he says of gural Eight Under Eighteen and helped connect thirty his peers. Sam cold-called ‘They Know I Won’t award. of her peers to their Jewish members of Calgary’s small In 2020, CTeen, the heritage. “I never shied away Jewish community until Play on Shabbos’ Chabad Teen Network and from being a proud Jew, he raised enough money to the world’s fastest growing Gaby says, “But now I have bring JText to town. JText Jewish teen network, an- a family of fellow Jews who sends out a weekly trivia Says Washington nounced the establishment share my experience and question to Jewish teens of the Eight Under Eighteen: give me strength to share my via text message and offers Yisroel Fund Leadership Judaism with others.” prizes for those who answer Nationals Draft Pick Award. The award seeks to Based in Bucks County, correctly. Hundreds of teens spotlight “teens who have PA, Andrew Belder, 17, is participate each week. Elie Kligman demonstrated remarkable a runner and swimmer who - By Yosef Kaufmann & Dvora cept,” he muses. “The mind needs dedication, engagement, and found his cross-country run- can, Shai Fichtelberg is Lakein to control the emotions. There’s leadership,” in their commu- ning career in limbo during one of six Jewish kids in a On a bus with his team- nities. COVID lockdowns. So he Sonoma County, Califor- mates on Israel’s Olympic base- helmets and bats.” decided to arrange his own nia, school of two-thousand. ball team heading to Hartford, Indeed, Marc believes, fail- from around the world, with marathon. He mapped out a When the making of Holo- Conn., 18-year-old Elie Kligman ure is often G-d’s way of throw- high school principals, com- 13.1 kilometer course, and caust jokes became a trend received a call he had long been hoping for. The Washington Na- joined a Little League team when munity youth leaders, and despite the twenty two de- at her school and on social tionals had just selected the Las the family lived in San Diego, but the teens’ peers penning let- gree Fahrenheit weather on media, she started a Jewish Vegas native in the 20th round of he ended up missing 60 percent ters of recommendation in the day he had chosen, ran Heritage Club, which has the Major League Baseball draft. of the games, as most are played support of their nominees. the course to complete a mar- become a forum for educat- on Friday evening and Saturday. athon. In doing so, he raised ing Jewish and non-Jewish Jewish player to be drafted by a Though Marc tried to convince - thousands of dollars for the peers and faculty about Ju- major league team with the under- the league to adjust their sched- standing that he would never play ule, they would not. Eventually, - Travis Manion Foundation, daism, Jewish history, and on Shabbat. Marc discovered the North City lection process that included which supports military vet- antisemitism. “The Nationals were fully Youth Baseball, a smaller league interviews and trans-national erans and their families. In The other award-winners aware that I won’t play on Shab- that was thrilled to have young, conference calls, the eight addition, Andrew, who be- included Sasha Rubinsky, bos,” Elie told Chabad.org. I have high-caliber players like Elie and winners were chosen. who responds to misinforma- always been very clear about that. Ari, and eagerly made the sched- In March of last year, af- years ago, formed a weekly tion and accusations against ter hearing of the terrible iso- Israel at her Coachella, Cali- lation elderly members of his with two of his best friends, fornia, high school and her Grandpa’s community were at which they gather seven to job as a Starbucks barista, suffering under lockdown, and Rachel Arrouas of S. Michael Mandel, 17, of To- bond over their Judaism. Maur, France, who instituted ronto, discovered a federal Shayna Solkowitz of an SOS Grandpa campaign grant program that supports Woodcliff Lake, NJ, began to that motivated hundreds of youth in bettering their com- show up at her high school in teens to call their grandpar- munities. He successfully modest dress as she educated ents each week. applied for a grant, and with herself about Jewish law, These eight teen win- the money he purchased tab- and found that answering the ners were awarded a plaque lets and accessories, loaded Judaism-related questions commemorating their win, them with games and com- it elicited from teachers and a book of daily thoughts munication apps, and deliv- peers wasn’t enough for her. gleaned from the wisdom ered them to ten lonely se- So she started baking fresh of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, niors. Michael taught each challah every Thursday and and a partial scholarship to one how to use their device seeking out Jewish peers a CTeen-approved gap-year by a major league team with the understanding that he would never and recruited peers to hold and faculty to whom to give program in Israel of their play on Shabbat. a monthly program dubbed the traditional treats. This choice. That is not going to change. Keep- ule work for the Shabbat-obser- Senior Pals, at which teens spawned the creation of a Since the announcement ing Shabbos is for G-d. There’s no vant kids. “They played on better and seniors play games, chat, Jewish club that had twenty of the winners, many of the argument about putting baseball and watch entertainers. - teens have been featured in uniforms,” Marc says. “G-d was Gaby Guigui, 18, a Sep- ing. their local newspapers and observant Jew who keeps a ko- sher diet and prays daily. And he place.” Ten years later, last spring, hardic Jew growing up in Sam Virine, interviewed on NBC, NPR, has never played on Shabbat teammates, parents, and coaches Knoxville, Tennessee at the generation Canadian, as the and other local stations. That’s not to say it’s easy, rallied successfully to change a Elie candidly admits. “It’s al- game scheduled for the second ways hard. I don’t get to be with day of Pesach. my team. I don’t get to help them Rabbi Chaim Ozer Metal of out. But still,” he declares, “Shab- Chabad of Summerlin, Nevada, where the Kligmans are members, roll.” is a Mets fan himself. The rabbi Elie inherited his attitude says he has “great respect for the from his father, Marc, an attorney way Elie pursues his drive and commitment to the game while year-old dad, who played baseball remaining strong in his Juda- as an undergraduate at Johns Hop- ism.” Metal can often be found kins, taught Elie and his younger in the bleachers watching Elie brother Ari the game when they play at Cimarron-Memorial High were tots. He coached their youth league teams for years. cap and personalized jersey bear- Marc played his heart out in ing the nickname “Rally Rabbi” college, but it was in law school (the team attributes some of their that he discovered his soul. While late-game wins to his presence). earning his J.D. at Tulane, he en- Elie’s refusal to play on countered Chabad and chose to Shabbat is reminiscent of Sandy make his an Orthodox lifestyle. Koufax, the legendary Dodg- He and his wife, Leah, also an at- ers pitcher who benched himself torney, raise their children with a on Yom Kippur during the 1965 strong Torah identity and a pas- World Series. “It’s pretty cool sion for baseball. to be in the same sentence with On the diamond, Marc trains him,” Elie says. his two boys with the same phi- Elie believes the Majors are losophy as his pro clients. “I teach ready for an observant Jew. “The all my players that they will, at world is ready for it,” he says, and times, fail. They need to embrace he’d like to be the one to show failure, learn from their mistakes, others “that you can do what you and push on to succeed at the next love, without compromising who Inaugural annual award spotlights teens who are making a difference in their communities thing. It’s really a Chasidic con- you are.” Page 8 World of Lubavitch SEPTEMBER 2021

so that is where we help get that that you are spending your accomplished. thought was, “how many AS. Do you make it pos- Jewish prisoners could there sible for prisoners to observe possibly be?” So, how many Jewish holidays? Jewish prisoners are there MC. Yes, we provide pro- and where are they? grams for all nights of Chanu- kah, Purim night and day with a MC. There are correctional full festive meal, Megillah and institutes across the province. Mishloach Manot, Rosh Hasha- From Thunder Bay in the north nah, Shofar blowing and Suk- to Windsor in the south. We kot for the Sukkot holiday. On also provide spiritual resources Passover, we organize a full ko- to prisons across Canada, but sher Seder each night. For the most of our clients are housed last several years two in the larger institutes that are students walked 3 hours each close to the GTA. As far as way on Rosh Hashana to blow numbers, it’s hard to say as shofar for the Jewish inmates. many don’t reveal their Jewish In this issue we interview Rabbi Michoel Csillag; By: Ahava Spilman identity until they meet us. But Head Chaplain of the Chabad Prison Chaplaincy Service AS. Are you in touch with a guesstimate is around 200 in the prisoners’ families? Ontario. lains that visit prisons including cussions without interruption. AS. What is the most chal- MC. Yes, we help them many seasoned hluchim like During holiday programming lenging part of your work? in any way possible. We have AS. How did you become Rabbi Gansburg, Rabbi Gross- several units will mix together MC. Finding volunteers in sponsored summer camp for involved with this challenging baum and Rabbi Zaltsman. in the program room or the cha- the community and advocating their kids and made sure they activity? During holiday programing we pel to participate. with the government for Jewish were taken care of for the holi- MC. In 2016 My friend have police clearance for more needs. It takes hours of phone days. We presently send weekly Ronen Lederman and I tried to than 40 volunteers to help on a AS. Is prison life more calls and emails to get some- Torah newsletters to the fami- help a Jewish individual who temporary basis. We try to visit - thing small done: to get permis- lies as well. was incarcerated at a maximum at least once a week sometimes ers? How? sion for one man in northern security prison in solitary con- twice. During the holidays we MC. Yes and no. Well, it’s AS. I am sure this experi- are there more often, on Ha- more challenging in the sense take three days of work. It’s ence has changed you. How? dead ends while trying to pro- nukkah, nightly to light can- that you need to advocate more - MC. vide him with Jewish resources, dles. Sometimes an inmate is in to get your needs met as a Jew. ment who is slow doesn’t like even Jewish books and matzah trouble or going through a crisis However, the peace of mind to change the status quo. There this. My learning curve has became a battle. We were out and we will make special emer- that comes with realizing that are a few adversaries who at- stretched from eye opening of options when, just before gency trips to see that inmate Hashem is with you even inside tempt to curtail our activities conversations with inmates to Rosh Hashanah, I came across more often. We are regulars in prison and is watching over you but be assured we will prevail. the necessity for understand- a moving letter from the Rebbe is very comforting while incar- AS. Do you keep in touch ing corporate psychology when that strongly encouraged the Ontario and before Covid, we cerated. The challenge is that with inmates when they dealing with provincial red assisting of Jews in prison. The were just about to be cleared in you have to struggle to do every leave? tape. I am sure my personal Rebbe said that a Jew in prison more. mitzvah and help from the out- MC. We have a team that growth surpasses those I hope is in gallus (exile) within gallus AS. What surprised you side is essential. That’s where deals with inmates once they I help. and it’s up to us to help them. most about the inmates and we come in. are released. They learn with That spurred us into action and their attitudes? them and try and help them. We AS. If you were to give ad- with tireless advocacy and end- MC. The inmates are genu- AS. What services do you try to encourage them not to re- vice to parents on how to keep less requests, we did manage ine in their search for spiritual offer that help them? - their children out of prison, to get this incarcerated Jew a growth. They are at a time in MC. We offer weekly vis- ences that got them there in the what would you tell them? shofar, , yarmulka, learn- their lives when they start think- its, counselling, holiday pro- MC. Make sure they marry ing materials and a lulav and ing about their mistakes and graming including shofar, Jewish and have proper friends. etrog. However, we failed to searching for answers. They are menorahs, shmurah matzah AS. Can prisoners get Almost every Jewish prisoner get a sukkah inside the prison active in davening, putting on and haggadahs, weekly Torah kosher food? How does this has a common denominator: that year. They denied it for se- newsletter, Jewish learning ma- work? each has a non-Jewish girl- curity reasons but we remained programs. They have a passion terials, Chayenu magazine, To- MC. Yes almost anywhere friend or spouse. Almost none tenacious, and today, Baruch to learn more and to become rah classes, mp3 players, family in Canada you can get kosher has a Jewish partner. 72% of Hashem, inmates in that institu- more involved as Jews. They support services, legal referrals, food in prison. There was a the inmates have addiction is- tion and others have a sukkah. are also very appreciative that - case of an inmate in the Yukon sues that exacerbated the initial In fact, I have a storeroom full we visit them. Some of them es, rehabilitation services for who wanted kosher. They had it issues of hanging out with the of sukkahs that we use in insti- don’t receive visits from fam- post incarceration, homeless- shipped from BC. We are trying “wrong crowd”. tutions across Ontario. ily or friends, so our volunteers ness, and addiction help. Our to increase the kosher standards are a welcomed sight. Several next big program is to build a of the kosher food as there have AS. If someone wants to AS. Can you describe inmates have expressed that Canada wide Torah lending li- been some challenges with the their whole day changes with brary to send to inmates across supervision once it leaves the assist you, with what resourc- our visits, their mood improves es or support could someone you went into a prison? Canada. factory. Improvements have reading this help you? MC. Staff and Security and gives them the strength to continue moving forward. AS. Have any prisoners arrived. More improvements MC. We need funds to were not pleased. They were grow and we need volunteers. unaccustomed to rabbis visiting become closer to Yiddishkeit are in the future AS. What are the hard- during their stay? Contact info: regularly, but a lot has changed 647 686 7355 since then. We explained so est challenges for a Jewish MC. AS. What mitzvahs are inmate? of the inmates we’ve met have the easiest and the hardest to Jewishserviceca@gmail. many things to them to help com them understand our needs. MC. Depression, despon- grown tremendously in their observe in prison? dency, and loneliness are the yiddishkeit. Many have become MC. Human rights mandate To donate For example, why would a Jew *Via etransfer: send to jew- need to wear a kippah all the biggest. Prison is a very dark frum (observant) in prison dav- that whatever a person observes time? The beginning was chal- and dangerous place. These ening 3 times a day, keeping on the street they must be able [email protected] lenging. There are still chal- people have lost most of their Shabbos properly, even learn- to observe while incarcerated *Via check: Send to “Jew- lenges but so much is easier. friends and family and can’t ing chitas, a daily learning regi- unless it is an undue hardship ish Services Canada” 770 communicate with the outside men. Some learn Torah all day on the prison system. To that Chabad Gate, Thornhill On L4J AS. How often do you world. Imagine: no cell phones, and some yearn for Moshiach end we are there to ensure that 3V9 visit a prison? Do you go to emails or internet allowed. All more than most of us. this mandate is followed. Le- *Via credit card: Go to different prisons? Are there phone calls are monitored by gally every mitzvah must be Chabad.ca/donate. Please put many volunteers? the staff and must be collect AS. How do non-Jews in- accommodated by the govern- a note that the donation is to- MC. Including me, we have calls to a landline. teract with you? ment but it takes advocacy to wards the prison program. a team of eight full-time chap- MC. We visit non-Jews get the government to comply AS. Do you see the same who request to see us. I visit a prisoners regularly and do gentile on a weekly basis who you meet them as a group? has spent more time inside MC. Yes. We create an on- prison than outside. He genu- going rapport with them. We inely wishes to come closer to Hashem in his own way. I teach work at a relationship based on him the 7 laws of Noah. They trust and growth. The Jewish are respectful and want to grow community is small so we usu- spiritually. They don’t want ally do some Jewish geography anything else from us except to with them too. Each prison is di- reconnect to Hashem. They see vided into dozens of units. Each Rabbis as a guide to help them unit is self-contained, meaning in this path. that if you are a prisoner in one unit, you will have no clue who AS. Do you or the Jew- is in the unit right next to yours. ish prisoners encounter anti- Most units consist of around 30 Semitism? to 40 inmates. It’s very unusual MC. No. Basically none. to have more than one Jew in Actually, there are people who the same unit. This creates a want to be Jewish so they can silver lining where we can have get kosher meals or other perks more personal one-on-one dis- like our visits. 9

By Rabbi Aron Moss

from the Garden of Eden. ments. You are opening your- “You are all right. Every Knesset, a house of gather- - political platform, indeed ev- ing. It is not called a house of A Kabbilistic ing your limits, committing to ery man-made philosophy prayer, but a house of commu- Kiddush a higher purpose. There can in the world, is a mixture of nity connection. He Just Won’t be nothing more liberating. both good and evil. Only the The synagogue is where And getting married is not holy Torah, G-d’s wisdom, is we meet old friends and make Commit limiting yourself either. It is new ones. People who would I make Kiddush over expanding yourself, because the positive elements of every otherwise never cross paths wine every Friday night, your life is not just about you other philosophy in the world interact and get to know each but I would like to know a He Just Won’t Commit... anymore. By committing, you somewhere in the Torah.” other. It is one of the few plac- deeper meaning behind it. are making yourself vulner- These profound words es where everyone belongs. Is there some mystical ideas that I am writing to you, able, answerable to another teach us the true position Young and old, rich and poor, you can share that I can rabbi. You know I am not person. Your life is not just of Torah when it comes to familiar and strange, political- meditate on when I say the very involved in Jewish life. about you. What you do mat- politics. There is no political ly left and right, all are wel- Kiddush? I am very spiritual, but not ters to someone else. That is party that doesn’t have some come in the synagogue. religious. I am turning to at once humbling and exhila- good points. Each one in its When it comes to people Answer you because you know my rating. own way is trying to save the with opposing views, the It all goes back to the very boyfriend very well. We’ve So here’s the deal. I will world. But among those good post-modern world has can- been so long together and he talk to your boyfriend, and intentions will always be cel culture, where other opin- and Eve were created on Fri- still won’t commit. He says explain to him the beauty of a mixed in some bad ideas. Pol- ions are excluded. The Jewish day afternoon, the time when committed relationship. And itics is man-made, and people world has kiddush culture, all last minute things get done, is, and we don’t need to be you back me up as a living are a mixture of good and evil. where we mix with all types, like making humanity. married. Maybe you can example of just that, by doing Nobody is perfect, and no po- and become enriched by the give him a little nudge and a mitzvah and committing to litical body is perfect. experience. We create com- told not to eat from the fruit of explain that a relationship G-d. Maybe he will do it for We need a political sys- munity just by being together one tree, the Tree of Knowl- needs commitment to be you, if you will do it for Him. tem. So we go with democ- under one roof. edge. The mystics teach that real? racy, “the worst form of That’s why in Yiddish, the this fruit was a grape vine, a government, except for all term for synagogue is shul, fruit that contains the potential Answer the others.” So too, when it which means school. Shul is for great good and great evil. I would be glad to try and Which Political Party comes to voting, we have to a place of learning about our- Over a glass of wine friend- bring him around. You are a is Correct? choose the worst party, except selves and others: who we are, ships are made and lost, lives great couple and he would be for all the others. But it would what we are here for, and what are enhanced and destroyed, a fool to lose you. But I must be wrong to say that any one really matters in life. These hopes are created and dashed. say, you can’t blame him for party or platform is complete- lessons may be picked up in It is the Tree of Knowledge of not committing. You are doing I am a staunch libertar- ly aligned with Torah. The formal classes taught by the Good and Evil. the exact same thing as he is. ian, and my wife is a big messy game of politics can’t rabbi, informal discussions The prohibition was only When he says, “I love time socialist. We are hap- live up to that ideal. with fellow congregants, or to last until nightfall that day. you, but I don’t want to marry pily married because we We should feel free to ar- in silent moments of reverent Once the holiness of Shab- you,” it means he wants the don’t talk politics. But I do gue for our political ideolo- bos came in, they would be - wonder, what is the Torah’s gies. But as the Rebbe said, call that prayer. allowed to eat from the fruit. tions. He likes the feeling of viewpoint on political is- we are all right, and therefore Of course, prayer does When holy people on a holy being in a relationship, but sues? Which political ideolo- all wrong. Let’s learn to dis- play a central role in syna- day have holy intentions, in- doesn’t want the commitment gy would Judaism espouse? agree, and still stay married. gogue life. And during prayer dulging in the fruit of the vine that marriage demands. services is not the time to so- can do no harm. It sounds great, which is Answer cialise. Even if you aren’t sure Had they done what they why more and more people It’s refreshing to hear that about G-d, you can participate were told, Adam would have are choosing love without you and your wife can disagree Cancel Culture in made Kiddush on the juice marriage. But what it really on politics and stay together. never attending synagogue at of the Tree of Knowledge on means is he is stuck in him- If only more people could put Shul? all, you miss out on the group self. He is looking at what he their differences aside and energy, community spirit, col- didn’t wait until Shabbos. Eve can gain from the relationship, celebrate what unites them, lective identity and shared ex- squeezed the grapes, drank but isn’t willing to make him- the world would be in a much periences that only a house of and gave Adam to drink too. self vulnerable and put him- better place. You are a model My friends have been gathering has to offer. And that was the cause of all self out for it. That’s not love, for that better place. asking me to join them for If you think synagogue is the problems in the world ever that’s convenience. I would There is a story of a group a synagogue service for all about prayer, you should since. tell him, If you really mean it of Jews in the 1920’s who months. I don’t believe in go to shul more often. We correct this mistake when you say I love you, then were debating this very topic: G-d. I never pray. What by making Kiddush on Friday commit. Do it for her. which political philosophy could I possibly gain from night over wine or grape juice. That’s my speech to your aligns with the Torah? Each attending synagogue? It reminds us that we can only boyfriend. But I could give was able to quote the Torah Israel’s Hidden enjoy the pleasures of this the same speech to you. as support for their preferred Answer world if we can also defer our When you say you are ideology. You are implying that peo- Weapons enjoyment. If you can wait, spiritual but not religious, you One argued for monar- ple go to synagogue to pray. then you are the master of sound exactly like him. You chism, as the Torah itself con- Where did you get that idea your desires. If you can’t, then are open to spirituality, but not dones rule by a royal family. from? It’s a lovely idea to do a you are slave to them. The key open to the discipline of reli- Another argued for socialism. True, you will often see mitzvah for Israel. But hon- to being a good person is the gion. It’s like saying to G-d, “I Doesn’t the Torah command people praying in synagogue. estly, why would my light- ability to control yourself. It love You, but I am not ready to us to share our wealth with the But people also pray at home, ing candles or giving char- starts with the way we eat, and commit to You. I will do what poor? A third insisted that the in the street, at an airport or in ity make any difference to extends to every choice we feels good to me, but it has to Torah is communist. We don’t a foxhole. Hamas? They will keep on make. be on my terms. My medita- really own any property, it all You don’t need a syna- sending rockets no matter Adam and Eve didn’t wait. belongs to G-d. gogue to pray. And you don’t how many mitzvahs I do. Is So the Torah tells us to learn way. Just don’t ask me to do No one could win the de- need to pray to go to syna- the mitzvah campaign there how to wait. We wait between things Your way.” bate, as each side presented gogue. This is clear from the just to make us feel like we meat and milk. We wait to go True spirituality is not strong Torah proofs for their very name “synagogue.” are doing something? to the mikvah. We wait for about feeling good. It’s about case. So they turned to Rabbi Synagogue comes from Kiddush so we can eat. And doing good, no matter what Yosef Yitzchok Schneerson, the Greek sunagoge which Answer we wait for Moshiach, the ul- you feel. You aren’t limiting the Lubavitcher Rebbe, to ad- means “bring together.” And We feel far away and help- timate Shabbos. May the wait- yourself when you commit to judicate. if that’s all Greek to you, the less when we see Israel under ing be over, so we can make observing divine command- The Rebbe told them: original Hebrew term is Beit attack. Kiddush on the holy wine Page 10 World of Lubavitch SEPTEMBER 2021

This is not the case. We fortify ourselves, we fortify plied. “I will whip up the best smiles every time you think: are never far from Israel. the whole. cheese blintzes anyone ever “Grandpa would love seeing And we are never helpless. This is not just a mysti- tasted.” How to Explain Death me do this.” So keep on mak- Israel is a land like no oth- But when she looked to Kids ing him proud. er. It is called the Holy Land The greatest defensive weap- into her pantry for the ingre- by all peoples. So while we ons are faith, determination, dients, she was greeted by Do You Dare Answer may not be physically in the positivity and belief in your empty shelves. An industri- My seven year old is land, we are always connect- cause. When we display our ous and resourceful woman, asking a lot of questions This? ed to it. Because holiness is solidarity with Israel, by be- she wasn’t phased. “We will ever since her grandfather everywhere, and holiness is ing prouder and more active have to be a bit creative,” she died. What happens when beyond the limits of physical Jews, we lift the morale of I read your response to a thought to herself. “I haven’t you die? Where do you go? question about what happens space. the soldiers, leaders and citi- got any French pancake mix, Is it scary? Can you explain to souls after they die. I think Most of us can do little to zens of Israel. They can face death to a seven year old? it’s ridiculous that you claim help protect the land militar- this testing moment with ex- be just as good. We are a lit- to be able to answer such a ily. That is the job of the IDF tle low on milk. I’ll just use Answer question. Why should I be- and the Israeli government. millions around the world water. Eggs.... I don’t have Remember when your lieve that you, Rebbi, knows We pray that they have the are behind them. any eggs, but I can throw in little brother was born? Af- about the afterlife and the strength and vision to defend Israel is under attack. a few potatoes. We certainly ter being in your mother’s reincarnation of souls? the land and its people. We need to help secure it, by can’t afford butter for frying, tummy for such a long time, Answer But our sages teach that strengthening our own Holy but I have some old oil that I would answer you by each one of us is a micro- Land. Let’s add a new mitz- I used last week, I am sure you and the family. How ex- simply rearranging the words cosm. There is an entire vah, or improve one we do it can be used again. And citing. You’d been waiting for of your question. world in each human be- already. Learn an additional cheese costs a fortune these so long to meet him and play You asked: ing. So just as the world has piece of Torah in our day or days. We will have to settle “Why should I believe that one country called the Holy our week, give more charity, for some mashed potatoes in- arrived. you, Rebbi, knows about the Land, so too we all have a and deepen our love for our stead of cheese, that will be Your baby brother was afterlife and the reincarnation Holy Land inside us. That is fellow. close enough.” very comfortable inside of souls?” our spiritual life. May G-d bless Israel In no time the delicious My answer: mummy’s tummy, where it’s “You should know that I, The mitzvahs you do, the with peace breakfast was ready, a pile of warm and he had everything Torah you learn, the pockets Rebbi, believes in the after- home made cheese blintzes. he needed. But he couldn’t life and the reincarnation of of holiness you create in your The good wife brought them stay there forever. When it Judaism Doesn’t souls.” home and in your day, that is before her excited and grate- was time, he came out to be It is unfortunate that many your Israel, your Holy Land. Turn You On? ful husband, who eagerly bit with you. people don’t know the dif- During those sacred mo- In a strange way, death ference between belief and ments, no matter where you he had ever tasted in his is similar to birth. We leave knowledge. are, you are in Israel. Judaism doesn’t do it life. After chewing on the the world we know and en- Knowledge is the purview Your Israel, like the land for me. I’ve been there done ter the great unknown world of science, the study of the vis- itself, needs secure borders, a that. I was star pupil of my turned from eager anticipa- outside. All the people who ible, measurable universe. clear resolve and an unques- bar mitzvah class, spent tion to bitter disappointment. have passed away are in that Religion goes further, ven- tioning sense of purpose. my teenage years at a Zion- “I have to be honest,” peaceful and happy place. Just turing into those realities that That means now is the time ist youth group, did the Is- he said, “I don’t really get as you were waiting for your lie beyond the scope of sci- to reinforce our Jewish pride rael thing after high school, brother to come and be with ence, the realms of metaphys- what those rich people see in you, the souls of past genera- and Jewish practice. If our even took Judaic Studies in cheese blintzes. They really enemies want less Jews, we college. And after all that, tions were waiting for your We limited humans can are nothing special....” grandfather to join them. Now grasp those realities with our will respond by being more nothing has turned me on. The Judaism you have Jewish. If they wish to break What do you say to people they are all together. We miss power of belief: the art of sus- tasted is about as authen- them. But there’s nothing to pending self in order to con- our resolve, we will redouble like me who simply are not tic as those cheese blintzes. it. inspired by Judaism? be scared of. nect with something higher You may think you have Remember you used to than self. When we boost our own been exposed to the Jewish Israel, our spiritual life, we Answer talk to your baby brother, way of life. After all, you sat religious belief need not con- send strength to Israel, our You remind me of the sto- even before he was born? He through a year of bar mitz- heard you, though he couldn’t spiritual homeland. There is ry of the poor man’s cheese answer and you couldn’t see both. When we embrace one a collective Jewish spirit that blintzes. vah classes, crept into the back row of a synagogue on him. You can talk to your at the expense of the other, we we are all part of. When we A poor man was once grandfather too. And you can are missing a part of ourselves. walking the streets, feeling Yom Kippur every a year and even spent three months send him a present. Every Faith without knowledge may hungry, when he was struck time you do something good, be blind. But knowledge with- by a delicious aroma. From on a kibbutz in Israel when you were 18. listen to your parents, do a out faith is deaf, unable to hear the kitchen window of a huge mitzvah, give charity, learn mansion wafted the smells of This is all very nice. But Now a suggestion. Don’t these are not the ingredients Torah, think how proud your a rich man’s breakfast. Look- grandfather would be. At that be one of those people who ac- ing through the window, of a true Jewish experience. moment, his soul in heaven cepts only that which is scien- he watched carefully as the If you have never racked gets a good feeling, a gift cook mixed the ingredients your brain over a page of from you. up being reincarnated as a re- and prepared a pile of cheese Talmud, if your soul has Just like he smiled every ligious fundamentalist in order blintzes. He had never seen never been touched by the time you visited him, his soul to correct your mistake. or smelled anything so appe- deeper meanings of the To- tizing in his life. rah, if you have never felt He ran home and told his the embrace of a warm and wife, “We must have some spiritually committed com- cheese blintzes for breakfast. munity, if you have never They are delicious. Can you experienced the peace and make me some? All we need holiness of keeping a Shab- is French pancake mix, milk bos fully and correctly, then and eggs, some butter to fry you have never had an au- them in and cheese for the thentic taste of Judaism. Enough of the cheap “Certainly my dear hus- imitations. Go eat a genuine band,” the kind woman re- cheese blintz. 11 Remaining One People Despite Our Differences Marriage is Built Continued from page 1 embrace that Torah. “Atta Hareisa.” Did it help? Let’s say it didn’t. Haim Cohn bellowed out his verse, loud and proud, and wrote in his classic work called With Kindness the Rebbe, the gabbaim, and the the Tanya, when you see a Jew By Family Therapist Rab- family will be. Each act of “kindness” toward crowd of chassidim echoed him in who is not doing the right thing, bi Avrohom (Abe) Kass, M.A., On the other hand, a kindness your spouse creates for you a re- full chorus. pull that Jew in with thick cords R.S.W., R.M.F.T. - lationship credit. These credits The episode had not ended. of love. Perhaps he will change are saved-up like dollars in a bank When the gabbaim took out the his ways, perhaps not. Either way, Be kind to your spouse. Not a - account. When you hurt your single person in the entire world sponsible behavior, and criticism, partner’s feelings—intentionally heaviest—the one known as loving another Jew. would marry if he or she thought push away “kindness” and lead to or unintentionally—these “rela- “Moshiach’s Sefer Torah”—was But I believe it did help. their partner would not treat him relationship breakdown. The fact tionship credits” can be used to heading straight towards Haim You see, years later, a certain or her with kindness. Kindness is that the perpetrator of these hos- reestablish harmony. They stand Cohn. Chabadnik befriended a certain the fertile soil in which affection as advocates mitigating your part- Again the gabbaim hesitated. Israeli who lived in Manhattan. can grow. Kindness is the foun- ner’s hurt feelings, negative judg- This was a very heavy scroll after Before , he invited dation upon which a strong and ments, or thoughts to retaliate. all, and Haim Cohn was no young him to come to 770 and celebrate healthy family can be built. The more credits you have, the man. It would make more sense with the Rebbe. Torah teaches that the world easier it is to get beyond relation- to hand him one of the smaller, But the man refused, ada- was built with “kindness.” And ship mistakes. lighter scrolls. mantly. “I have a friend,” he ex- that “kindness is rewarded in this Research has shown that it The Rebbe looked Cohn plained, “who went there one world and the next.” Kindness is - straight in the eye. He asked, “Are year. And it changed his mind kindness; whether donating a mil- teractions to eliminate one nega- you ready to accept upon yourself about many things. I am not inter- the weight of the yoke of Torah?” ested in changing my mind about lion dollars to a charity or opening tive one. Thus, the more “rela- anything. I’m not coming.” the door for an unknown stranger. tionship credits” you have, the If you never experienced that Kindness is available 24/7 and more relationship mistakes you The friend, as you may have sharp blue eyes pierce through guessed, was Haim Cohn. the reward is immediate. What a can survive. For example, if you Outwardly, perhaps, at least in wonderful Mitzvah! say good morning daily, but one deep into your soul. There is no- the immediate, nothing changed. Marriage is a voluntary insti- day forget, either your spouse But then, Maimonides writes in tution; a married individual must won’t notice or just will casually where to hide and nothing of you that remains hidden before those his Laws of Repentance that if a continually choose to stay with tile feelings and actions feels jus- mention it. However, if you never Jew has regret in the recesses of his or her partner. This is rela- say good morning your spouse eyes. Haim Cohn answered in the his heart, even if he remains recal- tionship reality whether we agree by little, lack of kindness chips will likely conclude you don’t citrant, his repentance is accepted with it or not. When kindness is away at the very foundation of the care about him or her. and his share in the World To abundant within the relationship relationship and everyone in the Jerry and Susan were clients When the singing and danc- ing began, Haim Cohn was still Come reinstated. the choice to stay together is easy. family suffers. of mine (details changed to pro- clutching his Torah, singing and And eventually, as Mai- Kindness ensures shalom bias and Think back to the time when tect privacy). Once Jerry and Su- dancing along with the consulate monides writes in a famous letter Hashem’s presence in the home. you and your spouse were court- san had extinguished their anger, members and chassidim for a full to the Jews of Yemen, this Jew Showing kindness to your ing. When your husband or wife they were now ready to work in three-quarters of an hour. Even as will come to a complete repen- spouse is fundamental to mar- was only your date, how did he or a positive way on their relation- the Rebbe sang and clapped and tance. As the verse goes, “Return, riage. Without “kindness” your she treat you? With “kindness,” ship. I instructed: “Make a list of encouraged the crowd with explo- wayward children, and I will heal relationship will sour, G-d forbid. or otherwise? Certainly your an- kind behaviors that your partner sive joy, his eyes never left Haim your returning.” Fortunately, it’s easy to be kind. swer is, “with kindness.” I know has done in the past, is currently Cohn. Judaism as Belief in Jews Here are some examples of every- this because otherwise you would doing, and could do in the future, That night, Cohn returned to Some people today have lost day opportunities: have run the other way. You that would make you feel loved his hotel. He returned to Israel, faith in their fellow Jews. With the -Say good morning. would have ended your contact - to his post, and to his opinions. -Ask how he or she slept. immediately never wanting to see ished making their lists, they took Ten years later, he was still writ- and the intensely polarizing pull -Make something for him or them again. turns discussing what they had ing about “Who Is a Jew,” without of social media, some have gone her to eat. You only married your part- written. Then I told them to ex- so far to declare that we have be- ner believing that the kindness change lists. Jerry had Susan’s list stance. come, G-d forbid, two separate spouse misplaced. you were shown during the dat- and Susan had Jerry’s. I suggested Looking Deep peoples. -Check with your spouse to ing period, during your courtship, they pick from their partner’s list If you never met the Rebbe, Such a perception can only make sure they have everything would last forever. And for a for- each day two acts of kindness and if you didn’t know his ways, you arise when our eyes do not see they need for the day (money, tunate few, this actually turns out then do them. I explained that might misinterpret this story. beneath the most external presen- food, information, etc.). to be true. Sadly, for far too many these were “gifts,” given with- You might say, “The Rebbe tation of a Jew. When we judge was very smart. He knew how to people by their behavior, by their -Call during the day to say people, kindness slips away and out any conditions. They went stated opinions, by their choices at hello. the relationship becomes a pain- home. The next time I saw Jerry deal with his detractors. He knew that rather than arguing with a the voting polls that go against our -Pickup something at the ful struggle. But it needn’t be that own. store. way. You can easily be kinder to both beaming and happy. They Jew, better to befriend him. That way, you have a far better chance But that is not Judaism. Ju- -Listen and comfort your your partner. Make a decision to didn’t look like the old Jerry and daism is not an ideology or even spouse if he or she is upset. be kinder and begin behaving that of enlisting them to your cause— or at least, mitigating their gun- a set of practices that determine -Help your spouse with his or way. ago. “What happened,” I asked. whether we keep you as a Jew or her tasks at home. Being “kind” is actually very “Simple,” Susan answered, “I did chuck you out as a stranger. - Speak gently and respect- what was on Jerry’s list, and he case.” But that is not the Rebbe. And Rather, Judaism is a divine fully. and not stopping. But if you do, did what was on mine.” wisdom, known as Torah, that, -Do favors. you will have a wonderful mar- Kindness is contagious. Be- the proof: In this case, the risk was too big to fake. when presented in all its authen- -Spend time together before - ing “kind” to your spouse creates ticity, has the unique capacity to going to sleep. weighing the effort. When you goodwill and cooperation. When Rebbe declared that this Jew was awaken the inner spark of a Jew, There are many more ways, are “kind” to your spouse, and you are kind, your partner is far here for one purpose: “to accept thereby connecting all of us to- planned and unplanned, to behave he or she to you, both of you will more likely to be, in-turn, kind the yoke of Torah.” And he even gether as one people with one To- kindly toward your partner and he reap many rewards. Kindness will to you. Emotional closeness, ap- took the gamble of publicly ask- rah and one G-d. or she toward you. The more you guarantee happiness. preciation and love will grow ing a man who had fought against Connect with that other Jew do, the closer and healthier your Kindness is remembered. stronger and stronger with each Torah for 30 years—with no sign and you will see the good that’s act of kindness you and your part- of regret, “Are you ready to accept there. It’s likely not so far from the ner show each other. You don’t the yoke of Torah?” What if Cohn need to go to therapy to increase had said “no?” far more you agree upon than you your marital acts of kindness. And even if he didn’t say no, disagree upon. You know yourself what you can what if he didn’t mean what he As with Haim Cohn and the do to make your husband or wife said? The Rebbe was certainly a Rebbe. Cohn was a champion of happy. stickler when it came to halachah. human rights, something I imag- Kindness is essential to a How could he permit handing a ine the Rebbe admired in him. He happy marriage. If you are not Torah Scroll to a man known for was also known for visiting the prepared to be “kind” to your prisoners he had sentenced to jail, spouse, you are writing for your- the Jewish people—and asking to ensure they were being well- self a prescription for a failed him to lead an entire congregation treated. The recital of is the bond which relationship. You cannot replace in prayer (as indeed the Rebbe’s “If I had my way,” he once said, “I’d scrap prisons.” Inter- unites the generations from the immemorial kindness with money, good looks, critics demanded to know upon hearing the story)? estingly enough, the Rebbe said unto eternity. It is the way we show our time- a big house or exotic trips. Kind- pretty much the same to Justice J. less devotion to our parents and loved ones. In ness is an attitude that manifests But the Rebbe didn’t see be- fore him an opportunity to win at B. Weinstein. the event you cannot personally observe this itself in all situations. Being So when you see another Jew “married” means behaving with a game. Or to gain a new adherent. hallowed expression of love for the duration Or even to gain some ground. at your party, even if he’s not the “kindness”—it’s just that basic. person you want to see there, even of eleven months, alternate arrangements can There are no substitutes for kind- The Rebbe saw before him a be made through the Chabad Lubavitch Orga- Jew. And he believed in that Jew. if you think he’s a sinner, even if ness. There is a saying, “What you believe he is actively destroy- nization. You may also consider placing bronze goes around, comes around.” He believed that, regardless of everything this Jew had said ing the most sacred, essential el- name plates of your departed ones on our Me- When you give “kindness,” you ements of our people, even if he morial Board which will insure The Observance get “kindness.” Kindness is some- and done for the past thirty years, a Torah Scroll remained for him voted for the party you most de- of Yahrtzeit in perpetuity. thing you can’t give away—it al- spise, look deeper. Believe in that ways comes back. the most precious, sacred object in For further information call 905.731.7000 the world. And that his innermost, Jew. Have a sweet life; behave deepest desire was to carry and As much as you believe in kindly toward your partner. G-d, believe in that Jew. Page 12 World of Lubavitch SEPTEMBER 2021

At the same time, I started Sixth Rebbe to death before living my life as a proud Jew making a commotion to call ultimately releasing him and and encouraging and teaching attention to the attack, and my allowing him to leave Russia. my fellow Jews to do the same. In 1940, he escaped war-torn I have committed to opening a Since that day, I believe Europe and arrived on Ameri- new Jewish educational cen- that the young man who tried can shores, where he set about ter in Brighton, where I will killing me in broad daylight re-establishing the center of be ordaining eight new rabbis. in front of the giant menorah the Chabad-Lubavitch move- In the days since I was outside a synagogue in Boston ment amid this country’s stabbed, I have likewise been was motivated not by theft, promise of freedom and foun- heartened by the countless but by hate. Hate for the Jews dation upon trust in God. messages I’ve received from as individuals, hate for us as Building on this founda- people expressing their con- After I Was a people. He had loitered out- tion, his successor as Rebbe, viction that this attack will not side the synagogue the day Rabbi Menachem M. Schneer- dampen their Jewish pride, before, acting so suspicious son, launched a global cam- learning, or practice. This is Stabbed I am More that a bystander took a photo paign to engage Jews from all the attitude we all need. of him. He has since been backgrounds wherever they I am proud to live in this charged with hate crimes for may be. It was at Schneerson’s country, one in which trust in Determined to be his vicious attack that day. direction that Shaloh House God is on the currency. It is He had planned for this. was established in 1962. trust in God that enabled me He had armed himself. But America is a haven for to survive this attack, and it is Proudly Jewish he missed something crucial all, and it’s up to each of us trust in God that empowers us about our matchup. He had a to keep it that way. We cannot to uphold America’s promise By Shlomo Noginski for On July 1, I stepped out gun, a knife, and venom in his allow attacks on our faith to of freedom and liberty for all. the Boston Globe of Shaloh House to take a heart. I had my bare hands, cow us into hiding our Juda- Rabbi Shlomo Noginski phone call. It was loud inside a background in martial arts, ism. And we’re not. is a Chabad-Lubavitch rabbi In 1990, my mother, a cel- the building, where some 100 and, most important, faith. I am determined now, serving at Shaloh House in ebrated composer from St. Pe- Jewish children were enjoying When I saw that gun more than ever, to continue Brighton, Massachusetts. tersburg, won a competition another day of fun and learn- pointed at me, something else to perform her music at the ing at our Camp Gan Israel, an Kremlin. A few nights later, experience in Jewish pride. I It was the story of the Sixth she got a phone call: “Jew, if sat down in front of the build- Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak , The Easy Mitzvah you sing in our Kremlin, we’ll ing where it was quieter. Continued from page 2 murder you and your chil- who was arrested by the mitzvah is nonexistent. dren.” I was 10. A short while As I spoke on the phone, a Communists in 1927 for the the same time, he All mitzvot are “easy,” for later, I was playing basketball man I didn’t recognize walked “crime” of sustaining Jewish recognizes that G-d is the they do not constitute an with friends when a group of up to me and produced a gun. life in the Soviet Union. Dur- master of the universe and imposition on our life--they young-adult thugs came over He demanded I take him to my ing brutal interrogations, an is the one who created are our life. Indeed, there and beat me bloody. “Tell him, granted him life, will be no division between your mother we say hi,” they and continues to sustain the mitzvah and “non- taunted me as they left. him in every moment of mitzvah” areas of our life. That was the moment my his existence. So he feels When we live to implement family decided it was time to duty-bound to obey G-d’s G-d’s purpose in creation, get out of the Soviet Union, a commandments. our entire life--including place where Jews were both b) As the purpose of his those activities which are openly persecuted by the gov- existence. This individual not explicit mitzvah acts-- ernment and where day-to-day understands that “I was not becomes a single, seamless antisemitism was condoned. created, but to serve my quest to connect to our We knew our future could be Creator.” He recognizes Creator and serve His will. secure only in a place where this as his true “I” and as If all mitzvot could the rights of the Jewish people be observed in either of were protected like anyone realization of who and what the above ways, there is else’s. A place where Jews he is. one mitzvah whose terms would be respected for their of observance call for faith and who they are, not at- approach, regarding the nothing less than the second tacked for it. observance of a mitzvah approach. The mitzvah of This search led our family as a duty, there will be sukkah does not tell us to - Rabbi Shlomo Noginski do something; it tells us to ing the Soviet Union by way car, parked nearby. I immedi- be something--a sukkah- of Helsinki. Two years ago, ately offered him the keys to investigator pointed a revolv- them all, perhaps even dweller. The way to observe together with my family, I re- my minivan — not something er at him and said: “This little willingly and joyfully, but this mitzvah is to make located to the United States. worth dying for — but then toy has made many a man the sukkah our home--our change his mind.” The Sixth some will be more pleasant While this move was in order he tried to force me inside. I and inspiring, others more environment, our roots, our to accept a position as a rabbi had cash and credit cards in Rebbe replied: “That little toy very identity--for seven days can intimidate only the kind of tedious and toilsome. The and teacher at the Chabad- my pockets and a phone in my expenditure of time, effort of each year of our life. Lubavitch Shaloh House Jew- hand, but he didn’t want them. man who has many gods, and but one world — this world. or money that a mitzvah And when we apply the ish Day School in Brighton, I realized this wasn’t requires will also affect model of the mitzvah of Massachusetts, it was a con- a simple carjacking. If he Because I have only one God and two worlds, I am not im- sukkah to our observance of tinuation of our dream back wanted my vehicle, why did all of G-d’s commandments, in Russia: to live, teach, and he need me to come along? I pressed by your little toy.” It was a story I had heard But when we see the they, too, assume the all- share Judaism with my fellow knew that if I got in, I might embracing quality of the Jews in safety and freedom. never see my wife and 12 chil- countless times. Now I was facing that barrel myself. as the very stuff of our life, sukkah. They, too, become I believed in America’s dren again. as “easy” as life. promise — and that hasn’t The next thought that The Soviets sentenced the changed one iota. crossed my mind was of all the young campers inside Shaloh House. When a person walked by, my assailant quickly hid his gun. I took advantage of his momentary distraction and made a mad dash across the street and away from my synagogue. If he’d catch up to me, I remember thinking; at least the children would be safe. The stranger pulled out a knife and followed me, swing- ing and thrusting his knife at and into me again and again and again. I saw hatred in his eyes, and realized that this until his weapon found my 350 Steeles Avenue West heart. I started kicking him Thornhill Ont. L4J 1A1 - (905) 881-6003 with mine. His blade struck Established 1927 me around my shoulder, arm, C.P. Saucier, Managing Funeral Director and ribs about eight times.